Startup Runway Calculator
Calculate startup runway in months from cash balance and burn rate. Free, instant, browser-based.
How Startup Runway Calculator Works
Runway (months) = Cash Balance ÷ Monthly Net Burn. Also calculates the projected zero-cash date based on today's date. This is the single most important survival metric for pre-profitability startups. Y Combinator recommends maintaining 18–24 months of runway at all times, providing buffer time to hit milestones and run a fundraising process.
Runway Decision Points
| Label | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Above 24 months | Strong — time to scale aggressively |
| 18–24 months | Healthy — begin fundraising planning if needed |
| 12–18 months | Start fundraising now — rounds take 6+ months to close |
| Below 12 months | Critical — immediate action required on burn reduction or revenue |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is startup runway?
Startup runway is the number of months a company can operate before exhausting its cash at the current net burn rate. Formula: Cash Balance ÷ Monthly Net Burn. It's the single most important survival metric for pre-profitability companies.
How much runway should I have?
Y Combinator's standard advice is 18–24 months at all times. This gives enough buffer to hit meaningful milestones (typically 12 months of work) and time to run a fundraising process (typically 3–6 months).
When should I start fundraising?
When you have 12–15 months of runway remaining. Earlier if the market is difficult or you're targeting larger rounds. Never start when you have under 6 months — desperation is visible to investors and weakens your position significantly.
Is my data stored?
No.
Can I use this on mobile?
Yes.
About This Tool
Built by the Calcyo team and last updated June 2026. All calculations follow industry-standard methodology. No data leaves your browser — calculations run entirely client-side using JavaScript. If you spot an error in the formula or benchmark data, email us at support@calcyo.xyz.