Startup Cash Burn and Runway Calculator
Estimate monthly net cash burn, runway and the cash needed for a chosen operating horizon.
Estimate monthly net cash burn, runway and the cash needed for a chosen operating horizon. Example result: net monthly cash burn = $8,000.00. Compare your own inputs below. Estimates depend on the stated assumptions and are not a quote or forecast. Defaults are illustrative, not recommendations.
Your result
- Net monthly cash burn
- $8,000.00
- Cash runway months
- 12.5
- Additional cash for target runway
- $44,000.00
With the example inputs, net monthly cash burn is $8,000.00. Runway uses actual cash flows rather than accounting profit. Review it with expected collections and committed expenses; a receivable does not extend runway until paid.
How to use this startup cash burn and runway calculator
- Available cash: enter the amount in your selected currency. The worked example uses $100,000.00.
- Monthly cash expenses: enter the amount in your selected currency. The worked example uses $20,000.00.
- Monthly cash receipts: enter the amount in your selected currency. The worked example uses $12,000.00.
- Target runway months: enter the quantity in months. The worked example uses 18 months.
Start with figures from the same statement date or planning period. Calculate once, save scenario A, then change one assumption to understand its effect. The comparison shows B minus A; a positive difference means the result increased, which is not automatically better.
Formula and calculation method
Net burn = cash expenses − cash receipts; runway = cash / net burn; funding gap = max(0, target months × burn − cash).
The calculator evaluates this relationship directly in your browser. The displayed precision is for readability and does not imply a guaranteed outcome. Time periods and rate conventions matter: use the exact units in each input label and avoid mixing monthly and annual values.
What the result means
Runway uses actual cash flows rather than accounting profit. Review it with expected collections and committed expenses; a receivable does not extend runway until paid.
Two worked examples
1. Illustrative planning scenario
Available cash = $100,000.00; Monthly cash expenses = $20,000.00; Monthly cash receipts = $12,000.00; Target runway months = 18 months.
Apply the stated formula with these inputs. Monetary examples use USD; percentages are divided by 100 inside the calculation. Intermediate calculations retain full precision and displayed amounts are rounded.
| Output | Calculated result |
|---|---|
| Net monthly cash burn | $8,000.00 |
| Cash runway months | 12.5 |
| Additional cash for target runway | $44,000.00 |
2. Simplified calculation check
Available cash = $60,000.00; Monthly cash expenses = $15,000.00; Monthly cash receipts = $5,000.00; Target runway months = 12 months.
Apply the stated formula with these inputs. Monetary examples use USD; percentages are divided by 100 inside the calculation. Intermediate calculations retain full precision and displayed amounts are rounded.
| Output | Calculated result |
|---|---|
| Net monthly cash burn | $10,000.00 |
| Cash runway months | 6 |
| Additional cash for target runway | $60,000.00 |
The second example uses simpler inputs to make the arithmetic easier to check. It is also included in the automated regression suite. These examples illustrate the model and are not market averages, live offers or personalized advice.
Assumptions and limitations
Constant monthly cash burn; no fundraising, debt service changes, seasonality or growth. Cash-flow positive businesses have no finite depletion runway in this model.
Use this output to frame a question or compare consistent scenarios. Reconcile any decision involving an actual product, employment agreement or financial statement with its underlying documents. If a contract uses different rounding or timing, its result may differ from this estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use booked revenue or cash receipts?
Use cash actually expected to arrive in the period, because runway measures the ability to pay cash expenses.
How do I interpret the net monthly cash burn result?
Runway uses actual cash flows rather than accounting profit. Review it with expected collections and committed expenses; a receivable does not extend runway until paid.
What assumptions can change this estimate?
Constant monthly cash burn; no fundraising, debt service changes, seasonality or growth. Cash-flow positive businesses have no finite depletion runway in this model.
Can I compare two scenarios without creating an account?
Yes. Save scenario A, change one or more inputs to create scenario B, and compare each result with its difference. Neither scenario requires an account.
Can I use this calculator in another currency?
Yes. Select a display currency and enter every monetary input in that currency. This changes formatting only; it does not convert exchange rates or apply local laws. The static worked examples are in USD.
Sources and verification
The following primary sources provide background on the financial concepts. CalcPane’s formula and assumptions above define this specific model; these organizations do not endorse CalcPane or certify its outputs.
Formula implementation and worked examples checked by automated tests on 2026-10-17. Inspect this calculator’s inputs and expected outputs. Read our calculation methodology. Independent professional review has not been completed for this release.
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Cite this calculator
CalcPane. (2026-10-17). Startup Cash Burn and Runway Calculator. https://calcpane.com/startup-cash-burn-runway-calculator/
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