FinToolSuite

Startup Runway Calculator

Updated April 17, 2026 · Financial Health · Educational use only ·

Months before you need more cash.

Calculate startup runway months or months to profit based on burn and revenue growth. Enter cash on hand and monthly revenue for an instant result.

What this tool does

This tool calculates startup runway (months before cash out) or months to break-even if revenue growth reaches burn level.


Enter Values

Formula Used
Cash
Burn
Revenue
Growth rate

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Disclaimer

Results are estimates for educational purposes only. They do not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

Startup runway = months before cash runs out at current burn. Critical metric for founders and investors. This calculator shows either runway months or months to break-even if revenue grows.

500k cash, 40k monthly burn, 10k monthly revenue growing 15% monthly: revenue hits burn at month 9, profitable. Without growth (flat 10k revenue): 16 months runway.

Growth rate matters enormously. 5% monthly growth still leaves long runway; 15%+ often reaches profitability. Most early-stage startups aim for 18-24 months runway when raising to buy time for traction.

Run it with sensible defaults

Using cash on hand of 500,000, monthly burn of 40,000, current monthly revenue of 10,000, monthly revenue growth of 15%, the calculation works out to 10 months to profit. Nudge the inputs toward your own situation and the output recalculates instantly. The defaults are meant as a starting point, not a recommendation.

The levers in this calculation

The inputs — Cash on Hand, Monthly Burn, Current Monthly Revenue, and Monthly Revenue Growth — do not pull with equal force. Not every input has equal weight. Flip one at a time toward extreme values to feel which ones move the needle most for your situation.

How the math works

Simulate month by month: balance -= (burn - revenue). Revenue grows at monthly growth rate. Stop when balance ≤ 0 or revenue ≥ burn. The working is transparent — you can verify every step yourself in the formula section below. No black box, no opaque "proprietary model".

What the score tells you

Headline financial numbers — income, savings, debt — each tell part of the story. This calculation stitches several together into a single read you can track over time. The value is in the direction, not the absolute number.

What this doesn't capture

The score is a composite of the inputs you provide. Life context — job security, family obligations, health, housing — doesn't appear in the math but shapes the real picture. Use the number as a prompt, not a verdict.

Example Scenario

£500,000 £ cash, £40,000 £/mo burn, £10,000 £/mo revenue × 15% growth = 10 months to profit.

Inputs

Cash on Hand:500,000 £
Monthly Burn:40,000 £
Current Monthly Revenue:10,000 £
Monthly Revenue Growth:15
Expected Result10 months to profit

This example uses typical values for illustration. Adjust the inputs above to match a specific situation and see how the result changes.

Sources & Methodology

Methodology

Simulate month by month: balance -= (burn - revenue). Revenue grows at monthly growth rate. Stop when balance ≤ 0 or revenue ≥ burn.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much runway is safe?
18-24 months gives time for product-market fit and next raise. 6-12 months is survival mode - already fundraising. Under 6 months is emergency. Seed-stage startups often survive shorter runways; Series A+ typically need 24+ months.

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