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Burn Rate Calculator [2025]
Estimate your startup's financial runway by calculating the burn rate.
Burn Rate Calculator
Enter the cash balance at the end of each month for the past 3 months. You can add up to 12 months for more accuracy.
Month | Cash Balance ($) |
---|---|
12 - 2024 | |
01 - 2025 | |
02 - 2025 |
What is Burn Rate?
Burn rate is a measure of how quickly a company is spending its cash reserves, typically calculated on a monthly basis. It's especially important for startups that are not yet profitable and rely on investor funding. The burn rate helps determine the company's runway, which is the amount of time the company has before it runs out of cash.
How to Use the Calculator
- Enter Cash Balances: Input the cash balance your company had at the end of each month for at least the last 3 months. You can add up to 12 months for a more accurate calculation.
- Add More Months (Optional): If you want to use more data points, click the "Add Month" button to add input fields for up to 12 months.
- Calculate: Click the "Calculate" button to see your burn rate analysis.
- Reset: If you want to start over, click the "Reset" button to clear the inputs and results.
- Review Results: The calculator will display the monthly burn rates, average burn rate, estimated runway (in months), and the estimated date when your cash reserves might deplete based on the current burn rate.
Why is Burn Rate Important for Startups?
Fundraising Planning
Knowing your burn rate and runway helps you determine when you'll need to raise your next round of funding. It's generally recommended to start fundraising when you have at least 6-9 months of runway remaining.
Financial Health
Burn rate is a critical indicator of a startup's financial health. A high burn rate can signal that the company is spending too much relative to its revenue or funding, while a low burn rate may indicate efficient operations or, conversely, insufficient investment in growth.
Investor Communication
Investors will closely scrutinize your burn rate during due diligence. They want to see that you're managing your cash responsibly and have a plan for achieving profitability or securing future funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between gross burn and net burn?
Gross burn is the total amount of operating expenses your company incurs in a month. Net burn is your gross burn minus your revenue (i.e., how much money you're actually losing each month). This calculator computes the average net burn rate.
What is a "good" burn rate?
There's no single answer, as it depends on your industry, stage, and business model. However, a lower burn rate generally indicates better financial health and a longer runway.
How can I reduce my burn rate?
- Re-evaluate your budget: Identify areas where you can cut costs without sacrificing essential operations or growth initiatives.
- Renegotiate with vendors: See if you can get better deals on software, services, or supplies.
- Increase revenue: Focus on sales and marketing efforts to boost revenue and offset expenses.
- Monitor your spending: Keep a close eye on expenses and make adjustments as needed.
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