Back to Glossary

Entry · Accounting

Overhead

Overhead refers to the regular, ongoing costs of running a business that aren’t directly tied to creating a product or service.

What it means

Think of overhead as the necessary expenses you need to keep your business doors open, even if you’re not producing any goods or services at the moment. These are costs that help support your business operations as a whole.

They include things like rent, utilities, insurance, and salaries for administrative staff. Overhead costs are important because they help you understand the underlying expenses your business incurs just to keep operating.

By keeping track of these costs, you can better manage your finances and make informed decisions about pricing, budgeting, and cost-cutting measures.

In practice

Real-world examples.

1

Example

For an entrepreneur running a small online retail store, overhead costs might include monthly website hosting fees, internet bills, and a subscription to an e-commerce platform.

2

Example

A small manufacturing company might consider the rent for their factory space, salaries for office managers, and utility bills as overhead costs.

Think of it

Think of overhead like the maintenance costs of owning a car: you need to pay for insurance, regular servicing, and parking even when the car is not being driven.

Questions

People also ask.

What is Overhead?

Overhead refers to the regular, ongoing costs of running a business that aren’t directly tied to creating a product or service.

What does Overhead mean in practice?

Think of overhead as the necessary expenses you need to keep your business doors open, even if you’re not producing any goods or services at the moment. These are costs that help support your business operations as a whole. They include things like rent, utilities, insurance, and salaries for administrative staff. Overhead costs are important because they help you understand the underlying expenses your business incurs just to keep operating. By keeping track of these costs, you can better manage your finances and make informed decisions about pricing, budgeting, and cost-cutting measures.

Can you give an example of Overhead?

For an entrepreneur running a small online retail store, overhead costs might include monthly website hosting fees, internet bills, and a subscription to an e-commerce platform.

What's a simple way to think about Overhead?

Think of overhead like the maintenance costs of owning a car: you need to pay for insurance, regular servicing, and parking even when the car is not being driven.

From the founder's library

Accounting Fundamentals: A Non-Finance Manager's Guide to Finance and Accounting, by Shihan Sheriff

Take it further with the book.

Build your financial confidence beyond this definition. Shihan's full-length guide, Accounting Fundamentals, takes the same plain-English approach and turns it into a complete, practical playbook for non-finance managers, business owners and students - with chapter-end quiz answers and presentation slides included.

US$2.24US$2.99

25% off with code MMHQ25, applied at checkout. Priced in USD - checkout may show the equivalent in your local currency.

View the book and save 25%

Related

Last updated · September 7, 2026
Browse all terms →

Disclaimer

The information provided in this finance dictionary is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be construed as financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. Money Master HQ makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. Use of this content is at your own risk.