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Cash Flow Runway Calculator

How long can your business survive without new revenue? Enter your cash position, monthly expenses, and current revenue to calculate your runway — and see how a downturn or revenue loss would affect your timeline.

Real-time calculationThree scenario modesNo signup required

Scenario

1Cash Position

Undrawn balance on a business line of credit.

2Monthly Revenue

3Monthly Fixed Expenses

Expenses that stay the same regardless of revenue.

4Monthly Variable Expenses

Expenses that fluctuate with revenue or production.

Enter your cash position and expenses to see your runway.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a healthy cash flow runway?
Most financial advisors recommend a minimum of 3–6 months of operating expenses in reserve. For businesses in cyclical industries (construction, trucking, hospitality), 6–12 months is a more appropriate target given the volatility of revenue.
Should I include my credit line in the calculation?
Yes — but only the undrawn portion. A credit line is real liquidity you can access. However, note that drawing on a credit line creates a debt obligation, so it's not free money. The calculator treats it as available cash, which is correct for runway purposes.
What's the difference between burn rate and net cash flow?
Burn rate is how much cash you're losing per month (expenses minus revenue, when negative). Net cash flow is the same calculation but can be positive or negative. A positive net cash flow means you're generating cash; a negative net cash flow means you're burning it.
How does the downturn scenario work?
The 40% revenue reduction scenario models a significant but survivable business disruption — roughly equivalent to losing your largest customer, a seasonal slowdown, or an economic contraction. It's a useful stress test to see how long you could survive a serious but not catastrophic revenue drop.
Why does the calculator show '∞' for my runway?
If your monthly revenue exceeds your monthly expenses (cash flow positive), you're not burning cash — you're generating it. Your runway is theoretically infinite as long as revenue continues. The calculator shows ∞ to indicate this healthy state.

Know Your Numbers Before You Need To

A cash flow crisis rarely happens overnight — it builds over months. 406 Consulting Group helps business owners build the financial visibility to see problems coming and act before they become emergencies.