Last updated: March 2, 2026 by Emily Taylor

What Is the Debt-to-Equity Ratio?

Formula

D/E Ratio = Total Debt / Total Equity.

The debt-to-equity ratio compares a company's total debt to its shareholders' equity.

A higher ratio indicates more leverage and potentially higher risk, while a lower ratio suggests more conservative financing.

Common use cases:

  • Evaluating company leverage
  • Comparing industry risk levels
  • Investment analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

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Emily Taylor

Certified Public Accountant, CPA, MBA

Emily is a Certified Public Accountant with an MBA in Finance. She has over 10 years of experience in tax planning, business accounting, and personal finance advisory. She develops practical financial tools for everyday money management.

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