Cash Flow Calculator
Project your total cash inflow, outflow, net cash flow and ending cash balance — split into operating, investing and financing — so you can see cash coming before it becomes a problem.
Ending cash balance
Enter your cash inflows and outflows to project cash flow.
What is a cash flow calculator?
A cash flow calculator projects the actual movement of money through your business over a period. Unlike profit, cash flow shows whether you will have enough money in the bank to pay your bills — the single most common reason otherwise-healthy businesses fail.
How is it calculated?
- Total inflow = Sales + Receivables collected + Other income
- Total outflow = Inventory + Payroll + Rent + Marketing + Taxes + Loan payments + Equipment + Other
- Net cash flow = Total inflow − Total outflow
- Ending cash = Starting cash + Net cash flow
Operating, investing and financing
The calculator also splits your cash flow into three standard activities: operating (trading), investing (equipment and assets) and financing (loans and repayments). This mirrors a formal cash flow statement and shows where your cash is really going.
Profit is not cash
You can be profitable on paper and still short of cash — for example if customers pay slowly or you buy a lot of inventory or equipment. That is why cash flow deserves its own view alongside the business profit calculator.
Example
Starting with $10,000, if $55,000 of cash comes in and $45,000 goes out, net cash flow is $10,000 and you end the period with $20,000. If outflows had been $60,000, you would end at −$5,000 — a shortfall the calculator flags so you can act early.
Related calculators
Plan the sales you need with the break-even calculator, size loan repayments with the business loan calculator, and track profitability with the business profit calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate cash flow?
Net cash flow = Total cash inflow − Total cash outflow. Your ending cash balance is Starting cash + Net cash flow. Inflows include sales, collections and other income; outflows include payroll, rent, inventory, taxes, loan payments and equipment.
What is the difference between profit and cash flow?
Profit is an accounting measure that can include sales not yet collected and exclude big cash outlays like equipment. Cash flow tracks money actually moving in and out. A profitable business can still run out of cash.
What are operating, investing and financing cash flows?
Operating cash flow comes from day-to-day trading. Investing cash flow covers buying or selling assets such as equipment. Financing cash flow covers loans and repayments. Together they reconcile to your net cash flow.
What if my ending cash is negative?
A negative projected balance means you'd run short of cash in the period. Review collections, cut or delay expenses, or arrange financing before it happens — the calculator flags this for you.
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Disclaimer. This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results are based on the information you enter and the assumptions used by the calculator. Actual financial, tax, business valuation, lending, marketplace or investment outcomes may differ. Consider consulting a qualified professional for decisions involving significant amounts of money. Cash flow projections are estimates based on the information entered.