Cash Runway Calculator — How Long Will Your Cash Last?

Businesses rarely fail because of one bad month — they fail because the cash runs out. Enter three figures to see your monthly burn rate, how many months of runway you have, and roughly when your cash runs out if nothing changes. Free, no sign-up.

Why cash runway is the number that keeps businesses alive

Profit is an opinion shaped by accounting — cash is a fact. A business can show profit on paper while its bank account empties, because customers pay late, stock ties up money, and loan repayments never appear on the profit and loss statement. Runway cuts through all of that with one question: at the current pace, how many months until the money runs out?

Knowing your runway changes behaviour. With twelve months, you can invest and take considered risks. With four, every decision should improve cash. With two, you are in emergency mode whether you admit it or not. The danger is not having a short runway — it's not knowing you have one until payroll is at risk.

Use actual cash movements, not invoiced amounts: what genuinely lands in the bank each month, and what genuinely leaves — including loan repayments and your own drawings, which many owners forget to count.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as "cash available"?

Money you can actually use within days: bank current accounts, cash on hand, and genuinely accessible savings. Don't include unpaid customer invoices, stock, fixed deposits with penalties, or an overdraft limit — an overdraft is borrowing capacity, not cash.

What is a healthy runway for an SME?

As general guidance: under 3 months is critical, 3–6 months is tight, 6–12 months is a workable buffer, and above 12 months gives real strategic freedom. Seasonal businesses should hold more, since a weak season can consume months of buffer quickly.

My business is profitable but my runway looks short. How?

Very common. Profit records sales when invoiced; cash arrives only when customers pay. Add growing stock, loan instalments and owner drawings — none of which reduce profit the way they drain cash — and a profitable business can absolutely run out of money. This is exactly why runway deserves its own calculation.

How often should I check my runway?

Monthly at minimum — treat it like a vital sign. If your runway is under six months, check weekly and build a simple 13-week cash flow forecast so you can see each week's position in advance rather than discovering it at the bank.

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