Savings Runway Calculator
How many months you can last while the work builds up.
Leave empty if there are none.
Rent, food, bills, plus the business running costs.
A cautious guess. Leave empty for none.
Licences, insurance and registration rules differ by country and place, so check yours before you start.
Type your savings and what you need each month, and how long they last appears here.
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Enter your savings, the start-up costs you will pay from them, and what you need each month. This shows how many months you can last with no income, and with a smaller income coming in.
Income is usually slowest at the start. A runway tells you how long you can afford that. It is also a useful number to have before you quit a job or sign for a lease, because it shows the point where you would need more money or a plan B.
How it’s worked out
- Money left is your savings minus the start-up costs you will pay from them.
- Months with no income is the money left divided by what you need each month.
- With some income, the monthly shortfall is your costs minus that income, and the months are the money left divided by the shortfall.
- If your income covers your costs, the savings are not used up, so there is no end date.
$9,000 of savings minus $1,500 of start-up costs leaves $7,500. At $2,200 a month that lasts about 3.4 months with no income, and about 4.7 months with $600 a month coming in.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that start-up costs come out of the same savings. Put them in so the months are not overstated.
- Using only your business costs. Add rent, food, bills and anything you pay to live.
- Assuming income arrives in the first month. Customers can be slow to find you and slow to pay.
- Spending the whole runway. Keep a cushion for repairs, illness and surprises.
Questions
How many months of runway is enough?
There is no single answer. It depends on how fast your work could build up, what other income or support you have, and how much risk you are comfortable with. Try a few different income figures to see the range.
Does it include tax?
No. If your income will be taxed, use the amount you expect to keep after tax.
What if my costs change?
Run it twice, once with today's costs and once with the costs you expect when you are busier, and compare.
What next?
If the runway is short, look at cheaper ways to start, or work out the rate you need to charge. The links under the result lead there.
Estimates only
These are estimates and general information, not financial, tax, legal or professional advice. Costs, pay, tax and licensing rules vary by country and place, so use your own figures and check the rules where you live.
Rain stopped play. Officially research.