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SaaS Runway Calculator

Calculate how many months of runway your startup has. See burn rate, time to profitability, and urgency level based on cash balance vs. expenses.

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Formula

Runway = Cash Balance / (Monthly Expenses − Monthly Revenue)

Net burn rate is expenses minus revenue. Divide your cash balance by net burn to get months of runway. Factor in revenue growth to see a more optimistic projection.

Worked Example

Cash: $500K, Revenue: $20K/mo, Expenses: $60K/mo Net Burn: $40K/mo Simple Runway: 12.5 months With 10% MoM growth: ~18 months

What Is SaaS Runway?

SaaS runway represents the amount of time, typically measured in months, that a software as a service company can continue operating before running out of cash. It is a critical financial metric for startups, especially those not yet profitable, as it indicates how long they can sustain their current operations given their cash reserves and net burn rate.\n\nThe net burn rate is the difference between monthly expenses and monthly revenue; if expenses exceed revenue, the company is burning cash. Understanding your SaaS runway allows founders and investors to gauge financial health, plan for future funding rounds, and make strategic decisions about growth and spending.\n\nA longer runway provides more time to achieve key milestones, reach profitability, or secure additional capital, reducing immediate financial pressure. Conversely, a short runway signals an urgent need for action, such as cutting costs, increasing sales, or initiating fundraising efforts promptly. This metric is dynamic and changes with fluctuations in revenue, expenses, and cash balance.
  • SaaS runway helps startups understand their financial sustainability and time before needing more capital.
  • It is calculated by dividing current cash balance by the company's net burn rate.
  • A longer runway provides more flexibility for achieving business milestones and growth.
  • Proactively managing your runway is essential for strategic planning and avoiding financial distress.

Regularly calculating and monitoring your SaaS runway is crucial for making informed business decisions and ensuring the long-term viability of your startup. Try our calculator to quickly assess your company's financial future.

You can also calculate changes using our Churn Impact Calculator, Rule of 40 Calculator or Break-Even Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much runway should a startup have?

18-24 months is ideal after a fundraise. 12-18 months is healthy. Below 6 months is urgent - you should be actively fundraising or cutting costs.

What is burn rate?

Gross burn rate is total monthly expenses. Net burn rate is expenses minus revenue. Net burn is what actually drains your cash each month.

When should I start fundraising?

Start when you have 9-12 months of runway left. Fundraising typically takes 3-6 months, so you want a buffer. Never wait until you have less than 6 months.

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