Free tool · South Africa
Runway Calculator
Enter the cash your business has on hand, what it earns each month, and what it costs to run. The calculator shows how many months before the cash runs out at your current burn rate, and, if you expect revenue to grow, whether you reach break-even before then.
No signup required.
Cash and revenue
What the business has today, and what it collects each month.
Money in the business's bank accounts right now.
Leave at 0 if the business is pre-revenue.
Monthly expenses
Everything the business spends every month, recurring costs only.
Growth (optional)
Leave at 0 to see runway based on today's numbers only.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as cash on hand for a runway calculation?
Money actually sitting in the business's bank accounts right now. Leave out money owed to you by clients (accounts receivable) and any personal savings you have not yet moved into the business. Only count what you could spend today.
What is a healthy runway for a small business in South Africa?
Most advisors treat 3 to 6 months of operating expenses in reserve as a reasonable minimum. Under 3 months means you should already be acting, since raising funding, closing new deals, or renegotiating costs usually takes longer than that to land.
Should I include my own salary in monthly expenses?
Yes, if you are drawing a salary from the business, include it as a real cost. If you have been going without one, decide honestly whether that is sustainable before you rely on a longer runway number that assumes you keep doing so.
How does the revenue growth assumption affect the result?
The base runway number assumes today's revenue and costs stay flat. The growth projection instead compounds your revenue by the monthly rate you enter, month by month, to show whether you reach break-even before the cash runs out. That is a more realistic picture for a business that is actively growing.
Does this calculator account for once-off costs?
No, it only models recurring monthly costs. If you know a large once-off expense is coming, such as equipment or a deposit, subtract it from your cash on hand before entering the number here.
Assumes recurring monthly costs and revenue held flat, except where a growth rate is set.
Built by Launchworks to help South Africans running a business keep a clear eye on their cash position.