Burn Rate Calculator

Calculate your startup's burn rate and runway. Understand how long your cash will last and plan for future funding rounds.

Track your burn rate automatically

Connect SpendPilot to QuickBooks and monitor your burn rate in real-time with automated financial insights

Calculate Your Runway

Total cash available in your bank accounts

Average monthly recurring revenue

Average monthly operating expenses

Understand Your Financial Runway

Make data-driven decisions about your startup's finances. Calculate burn rate, plan for fundraising, and ensure you have enough runway to reach your next milestone.

Accurate Burn Rate Calculation

Calculate both gross and net burn rates to understand your true cash consumption. See exactly how much runway you have left.

Runway Planning

Understand how long your cash will last at current spending levels. Plan fundraising timelines and make informed decisions.

Financial Health Insights

Get actionable insights about your financial situation. Receive warnings when runway is getting low and suggestions for improvement.

Why Burn Rate Matters

  • Know exactly when you need to raise your next funding round
  • Make informed decisions about hiring and spending
  • Identify opportunities to extend runway and reduce risk

Plan for Success

  • Set realistic goals based on your runway constraints
  • Communicate financial health to investors and stakeholders
  • Track progress toward profitability and cash flow positive status

Common Questions About Burn Rate

Understanding burn rate and runway is critical for startup survival and planning.

What is burn rate?

Burn rate is the rate at which a company spends its cash reserves. Gross burn rate is total monthly expenses, while net burn rate is expenses minus revenue.

What is runway?

Runway is how long your company can operate with its current cash balance before running out of money, based on your net burn rate.

What's a healthy runway?

Most investors recommend maintaining at least 12-18 months of runway. This gives you enough time to hit milestones, fundraise, or adjust your business model.

How do I reduce my burn rate?

Focus on cutting non-essential expenses, negotiating better rates with vendors, reducing headcount growth, or increasing revenue. Review your largest expense categories first.

What's the difference between gross and net burn rate?

Gross burn rate is your total monthly expenses. Net burn rate is expenses minus revenue, showing how much cash you're actually losing each month.

When should I start worrying about runway?

Start fundraising or taking action when you have 6-9 months of runway left. It typically takes 3-6 months to close a funding round, so plan ahead.

How often should I calculate burn rate?

Calculate your burn rate monthly to track trends. Review it weekly if you're approaching low runway or making significant changes to your business.

What if my revenue exceeds expenses?

Congratulations! You're cash flow positive, meaning your business generates more money than it spends. Your runway is infinite as long as this continues.