How it works
Gross burn = total monthly spending. Net burn = spending minus revenue. Runway = cash on hand divided by net burn. Business financial metrics tell you whether your company is healthy, growing, or in trouble. Profit margin, cash flow, and break-even point are the three numbers every business owner should know by heart. These metrics change monthly, so review them regularly rather than once a year when your accountant sends the tax return. Business financial metrics tell you whether your company is healthy, growing, or in trouble. Profit margin, cash flow, and break-even point are the three numbers every business owner should know by heart. These metrics change monthly, so review them regularly rather than once a year when your accountant sends the tax return. Business financial metrics tell you whether your company is healthy, growing, or in trouble. Profit margin, cash flow, and break-even point are the three numbers every business owner should know by heart. These metrics change monthly, so review them regularly rather than once a year when your accountant sends the tax return.
Tips
- Start with the default values to see a baseline result, then change one input at a time to understand which factor matters most for your outcome.
- Replace every default with your actual number — estimates and rules of thumb produce estimates, not answers. Pull your real figures from pay stubs, statements, or account dashboards.
- Run the numbers quarterly, not annually. Tax brackets, revenue, and expenses shift throughout the year, and adjusting early is far cheaper than correcting at year-end.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a good burn rate?
- There is no universal "good" burn rate. The key metric is runway — aim for at least 12-18 months of runway at all times. If you have less than 6 months, you need to cut costs or raise funds immediately.
- How accurate are the calculator results?
- The math is exact — the same formulas a financial professional would use by hand. The precision of the output depends entirely on how realistic your inputs are. Use your actual numbers rather than estimates when possible. The defaults are reasonable starting points, but your real income, rates, and timeline will produce a different result.
- What should I enter for cash on hand?
- Enter your actual cash on hand value. The default of 100000 dollars is a common starting point, but replace it with your real figure for an accurate result.