Startup Runway Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter Cash Balance and Monthly Net Burn for instant runway in months, days, and projected zero-cash date.
2. Use With Revenue Growth to see how MoM growth extends runway.
3. Use Cost Cuts to model burn reductions.
4. Switch to Professional for worst/best-case, RIF analysis, and bridge round impact.

Formula

Example

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is startup runway? ▼
  Runway is the number of months a startup can continue operating before running out of cash, assuming current net burn rate. Runway = Cash Balance / Monthly Net Burn.
• How much runway should a startup have before raising? ▼
  Most investors recommend having 18–24 months of runway post-raise. Practically, start fundraising 6–9 months before zero — so you need at least 9–12 months of comfortable runway when you begin the process.
• What is the difference between runway and burn rate? ▼
  Burn rate is the speed ($/month), runway is the duration (months). They are related: Runway = Cash / Net Burn. Improving either the cash balance or the burn rate extends runway.
• How does a RIF (reduction in force) affect runway? ▼
  Each eliminated role saves approximately 1× fully-loaded monthly salary. If you cut 5 roles at $12K/month each, you save $60K/month in burn — which can extend runway significantly on a $1.5M cash balance.
• What is a bridge round? ▼
  A bridge round is a small funding round (usually from existing investors) designed to extend runway by 6–12 months while a startup prepares for its next full round or achieves a milestone to improve terms.

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