Cash Flow Calculator
Calculate net cash flow from total inflows and outflows.
Initial Position
Additional Costs
Planning Parameters
Cash Flow Summary
Total Revenue
Over 12 months
Total Expenses
Including taxes
Net Cash Flow
Total for period
Best Month Cash
Peak cash position
Worst Month Cash
Lowest cash position
Cash Runway
At current burn rate
Cash Flow Management Tips
Improving Cash Flow:
- Accelerate receivables collection
- Extend payables terms
- Manage inventory levels
- Offer early payment discounts
Warning Signs:
- Declining cash balances
- Increasing payment delays
- Rising expenses vs revenue
- Cash below minimum buffer
Planning Strategies:
- Maintain 3-6 months expenses in cash
- Establish credit lines before needed
- Plan for seasonal variations
- Regular cash flow forecasting
Key Metrics:
- Operating cash flow ratio
- Cash conversion cycle
- Days sales outstanding
- Free cash flow margin
How it works
Cash flow is the money moving in and out over a period. The calculator subtracts total outflows (expenses, debt payments, purchases) from total inflows (income, receipts). Positive cash flow builds reserves; negative means you're drawing them down.
Net cash flow
Net cash flow = total inflows − total outflows
- inflows
- income, sales, receipts
- outflows
- expenses, debt payments, purchases
Worked example
- Inflows = $8,000/month
- Outflows = $6,500/month
- Net = 8,000 − 6,500
Positive cash flow of $1,500/month.
Good to know
- Cash flow differs from profit: a profitable business can still run out of cash if receivables lag bills.
- Separate recurring flows from one-offs to judge the sustainable trend.
- A cash-flow cushion is what carries you through lean months.
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cash flow?
Cash flow is the money moving in and out over a period: net cash flow = total inflows − total outflows. Bringing in $8,000 a month against $6,500 of outflows leaves +$1,500. Positive flow builds reserves; negative flow drains them.
How is cash flow different from profit?
Profit counts revenue when earned; cash flow counts money when it actually moves. A profitable business can still run out of cash if customers pay slowly while bills come due now — which is why cash flow, not profit, is what sinks otherwise healthy companies.
What is free cash flow?
For a business, free cash flow is operating cash flow minus capital expenditures — the cash genuinely available after maintaining and growing the asset base. It is a favorite measure of financial health because it is hard to flatter with accounting choices.
Why does positive cash flow matter so much?
It is the cushion that absorbs surprises: a slow month, a broken furnace, a late-paying client. Without positive flow you are forced to borrow at the worst possible time. Separating recurring flows from one-offs reveals whether the underlying trend is sustainable.
How can I improve my cash flow?
Accelerate inflows (invoice immediately, shorten payment terms, require deposits) and slow or shrink outflows (negotiate supplier terms, trim recurring subscriptions, stagger large payments). Even profitable operations usually find meaningful timing gains on both sides.