Startup Runway Calculator

How long can your startup survive before you need more money?

What is this? Runway is how many months your startup can survive before running out of cash, given your current burn rate and revenue growth. It's the most critical number for any early-stage company.

The rule: Raise money when you have 12+ months of runway. Investors smell desperation when you're at 3 months. Every CFO's nightmare is a startup burning $50K/month with 4 months left.

Who it's for: Startup founders, CFOs, and investors evaluating burn rate and fundraising timing.
Cash Position
Runway Analysis
Net Burn / Month
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Static Runway
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Dynamic Runway
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MRR at Break-Even
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Runway Status
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Funded Through
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Monthly Cash Projection

Projections assume consistent growth rates and spending. Actual runway varies significantly. Consult a CFO or financial advisor for your startup.

Startup Finance & Runway Tools

Tools that pair well with this calculator — selected by our team.

Lendio →
$75/funded loan — startup capital, runway
Republic →
Raise from angels — startup investing
ToolBest ForNetwork
Lendio$75/funded loanFlexOffers
RepublicRaise from angelsDirect

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is startup runway?

Runway = Cash on Hand / Monthly Burn Rate. It's how many months you can operate before running out of money. Most startups target 12-18 months of runway. The moment you raise money, start tracking runway weekly.

How do I reduce burn rate?

Audit every expense. Cut anything not directly tied to revenue. Delay hiring. Negotiate payment terms. Move fixed costs to variable. The fastest path to profitability is usually sales growth, not cost cutting alone.

What is the ideal burn rate for pre-revenue startups?

For pre-revenue: keep burn as low as possible while making progress. $10K-30K/month for a small team. For post-revenue: burn should be justified by growth rate — 1.5-2x current monthly revenue growth is a reasonable benchmark.

When should I raise more money?

Raise when you have 6 months of runway left, metrics are improving, and market conditions are favorable. VCs smell desperation. Raise when you're in a position of strength.