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MapGO.io
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datafa.st
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Best Claude Skills
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Postel.app
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Stoking the kiln…
Free Tool for Startup Founders
How many months do you have? Enter your cash, burn rate, and revenue — know your numbers in 10 seconds.
Your numbers
Getting started
Input your current cash balance, monthly expenses (burn rate), and monthly revenue. Pre-revenue? Leave revenue at $0.
Get instant results: months of runway, cash-out date, break-even projection, and a visual timeline chart of your cash position.
See how cost cuts, revenue growth, or fundraising would extend your runway. Download a PDF report to share with co-founders or investors.
The basics
Startup runway is the number of months a company can continue operating before it runs out of cash. It's the most fundamental metric for any startup that isn't yet profitable — it tells you exactly how much time you have to reach profitability, raise your next round, or make a major strategic pivot.
The formula is simple: Runway = Cash in Bank / Net Monthly Burn Rate. Your net burn rate is the difference between your monthly expenses and your monthly revenue. If you spend $15,000/month and earn $3,000/month, your net burn is $12,000/month. With $150,000 in the bank, that gives you 12.5 months of runway.
Key concepts
Your total monthly expenses — salaries, rent, software, marketing, infrastructure, and everything else. This is the total cash going out the door each month, regardless of how much revenue comes in. Useful for understanding your cost structure.
Gross burn minus revenue — the actual cash you lose each month. This is what determines your runway. If your gross burn is $20,000 and you earn $8,000 in revenue, your net burn is $12,000. This calculator uses net burn for all projections.
Benchmarks
After closing a funding round, VCs expect you to have 18–24 months of runway. This gives you enough time to hit key milestones and begin fundraising for the next round while still in a position of strength.
Self-funded founders typically operate with tighter runway. The goal is to reach profitability before cash runs out. With 6–12 months of runway, every dollar of revenue directly extends your timeline.
Regardless of your funding model, start taking action when you hit 6 months of remaining runway. Fundraising takes 3–6 months from first meeting to money in the bank. Waiting too long puts you in a weak negotiating position.
Under 3 months of runway is a crisis. You need immediate action: aggressive cost cuts, bridge financing, accelerated revenue, or a pivot. Every day counts. Use the survival scenarios in this calculator to identify your best options.
Survival strategies
Audit every expense. Cancel unused software subscriptions, renegotiate contracts, switch to cheaper infrastructure. A 20% cost reduction can add months to your runway.
Focus on converting free users to paid, raising prices for new customers, or upselling existing ones. Even small revenue increases compound over time.
Venture capital, angel investors, or startup grants can add significant runway. A $250K raise at $15K net burn adds over 16 months. Start fundraising when you still have 6+ months.
Revenue-based financing, venture debt, or convertible notes from existing investors can bridge the gap without a full funding round. Faster to close than equity rounds.
Stop building features nobody asked for. Focus on the one thing that drives revenue. Fewer features means less engineering time, less support, and lower infrastructure costs.
Common questions
Make it count
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This calculator is for planning purposes only. Not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor for major financial decisions.