Free Tool for Startup Founders
How many months do you have? Know your numbers in 10 seconds.
Every startup founder needs to answer one critical question: "How long until we run out of money?" Your runway — the number of months your cash will last at your current burn rate — determines every major decision: when to fundraise, whether to hire, and how aggressively to grow. Yet most founders track this in messy spreadsheets or, worse, not at all.
This free startup runway calculator gives you an instant answer. Enter your cash in bank, monthly burn rate, and revenue — and see your months of runway, projected cash-out date, and six survival scenarios in seconds. No formulas, no spreadsheets, no subscriptions. Just the numbers you need to make smarter decisions about your startup's future.
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.
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.
Understanding the difference between gross and net burn is critical for accurate runway projections.
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.
Runway benchmarks depend on your funding model and stage. Here are industry standards to measure yourself against.
After closing a funding round, VCs expect you to have 18–24 months of runway. This gives you enough time to hit key milestones (product-market fit, revenue targets, user growth) 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 and reduces pressure.
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. The survival scenarios in this calculator can help you identify your best options.
If your runway is shorter than you'd like, here are the most effective levers founders pull to buy more time.
Audit every expense. Cancel unused software subscriptions, renegotiate contracts, switch to cheaper infrastructure. A 20% cost reduction can add months to your runway — model this using the survival scenarios above.
Focus on converting free users to paid, raising prices for new customers, or upselling existing ones. Even small revenue increases compound over time. A 10% monthly revenue growth can dramatically change your trajectory.
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 — investors sense desperation.
Revenue-based financing, venture debt, or convertible notes from existing investors can bridge the gap without a full funding round. These are faster to close than equity rounds and can buy critical time.
Stop building features nobody asked for. Focus on the one thing that drives revenue or validates your core hypothesis. Fewer features means less engineering time, less support, and lower infrastructure costs.
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This calculator is for planning purposes only. Not financial advice. Always consult a qualified financial advisor for major financial decisions.