Project your cash position: monthly burn or surplus, months of runway, and forecasted balances at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Overview
The Cash Flow Runway Calculator projects how long existing cash will last based on monthly revenue, expenses, and upcoming one-time costs. It shows monthly net cash flow, burn rate, months of runway, and forecasted balances at 3, 6, and 12 months, helping founders and small business owners avoid running out of cash.
Common Use Cases
Startup runway planning
Cash flow forecasting
Burn rate monitoring
Funding requirement planning
Business survival analysis
Cost reduction planning
Investor reporting
Seasonal cash planning
Budget review
Freelance income planning
Expansion planning
Financial health check
How to Use
1
Enter the current cash balance.
2
Input expected monthly revenue.
3
Enter monthly operating expenses.
4
Add any upcoming one-time expenses such as equipment purchases.
5
Review monthly net cash flow and burn rate.
6
Check months of runway before cash runs out.
7
Review projected balances at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Example Scenario
Startup Cash Planning
A startup founder reviews current cash, recurring revenue, operating costs, and an upcoming purchase. The calculator shows how many months remain before funding is needed and how the balance evolves.
Technical Notes
Monthly net cash flow is monthly revenue minus monthly expenses.
Burn rate is the amount of cash consumed per month when expenses exceed revenue.
Runway is the adjusted cash balance divided by the burn rate, representing how long the cash lasts.
One-time expenses are deducted from the starting balance immediately.
Forecasted balances assume revenue and expenses stay constant over the projected period.
When monthly cash flow is positive, runway is unlimited because the cash position grows.
Common Mistakes
Ignoring one-time upcoming expenses
Using annual figures as if they were monthly
Assuming revenue stays constant
Forgetting non-operating cash outflows
Treating profit as cash
Not updating the forecast as conditions change
Frequently Asked Questions
It is how many months the business can continue operating at its current burn rate before cash runs out.
Profit is revenue minus expenses on paper, while cash flow reflects actual money moving in and out of the business.
Unpaid invoices, prepaid expenses, loan repayments, and large purchases can drain cash even when the income statement shows a profit.
Revisit the projection monthly or whenever revenue, expenses, or one-time costs change materially.
Related Topics
Burn rateCash flow managementStartup fundingBreak-even analysisBusiness planningCost controlRevenue forecastingSmall business financeFinancial forecastingBudgetingStartup cost estimationWorking capital