Calculate your startup's cash runway, zero cash date, and break-even timeline. Free tool with revenue modeling, scenario comparison, fundraising planning, and Default Alive analysis.
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Cash runway is the most critical metric for startup survival. It tells you how many months your startup can operate before running out of cash. Our Runway Calculator helps you project your zero cash date, plan fundraising timing, and understand if you're 'Default Alive'—Paul Graham's framework for determining if you'll become profitable before running out of money.
Runway is the number of months a startup can operate before running out of cash, calculated by dividing current cash balance by monthly burn rate. For startups with revenue, net burn (expenses minus revenue) provides a more accurate runway projection. Understanding your runway is essential for fundraising timing, hiring decisions, and strategic planning.
Runway Formula
Runway (months) = Cash Balance ÷ Monthly Burn Rate\n\nWith Revenue: Runway = Cash Balance ÷ (Monthly Expenses - Monthly Revenue)Start fundraising when you have 9-12 months runway. Fundraising takes 3-6 months, and you need buffer for delays. Never start with less than 6 months—desperation fundraising leads to poor terms.
Know exactly when cash runs out so you can make informed spending decisions. Cut costs, defer purchases, or accelerate revenue before it's too late.
Runway is a standard metric in board reports. Investors expect accurate runway projections and early warning when runway gets short.
Runway affects every decision: hiring, marketing spend, product roadmap. More runway = more freedom to invest in growth.
Avoid running out of cash unexpectedly. With accurate runway projections, you can plan for worst-case scenarios and take action early.
Determine if your revenue growth trajectory will make you profitable before cash runs out. Default Alive startups have better negotiating position.
Include runway in every board deck. Track trends over time and set targets for runway extension through growth or efficiency.
Calculate runway 6-9 months before you need to start raising. Determine your raise amount based on target runway (typically 18-24 months post-raise).
Model different spending scenarios to see runway impact. Balance growth investment against runway preservation.
Before extending headcount, calculate runway impact. Each hire accelerates burn—ensure you have runway to see ROI.
When changing business model or market, recalculate runway with new assumptions. Pivots often require more runway.
In economic downturns or funding droughts, model aggressive cost-cutting scenarios to extend runway and survive.
Runway is the number of months a startup can operate before running out of cash, calculated by dividing current cash balance by monthly burn rate. For example, $500K cash with $50K monthly burn = 10 months runway. It's the most critical metric for startup survival and fundraising planning.