Cash Flow Calculator
Track net cash flow and ending balance.
Money received this period.
Money spent this period.
Results update as you type.
How it works
A cash flow calculator tracks the actual money entering and leaving a business over a chosen period, then reports two figures that matter more than almost any other to day-to-day survival: net cash flow and the ending balance. Net cash flow is simply everything received minus everything paid out. Add that to the balance you started with and you have the cash genuinely available at the end of the period. Cash, not profit, is what pays wages, suppliers and rent. A business can be profitable on paper yet fail because invoices are unpaid, stock is tied up, or a tax bill lands before the money arrives. A cash flow calculator makes that timing gap visible in seconds, which is why lenders and investors scrutinise it as closely as the profit line. The inflow-minus-outflow method is used because it reflects real bank movement rather than accounting accruals, so the result is the number you could actually withdraw. Small business owners, bookkeepers, startup founders and household budgeters use a cash flow calculator to check a month before it happens, decide whether a large purchase is safe, spot a looming shortfall early, and prove to a bank that the business can comfortably cover its commitments.
Net cash flow = inflows − outflows · Ending = beginning + net
Inflows are every dollar received in the period; outflows are every dollar paid. Subtracting outflows from inflows gives net cash flow, the true change in your cash position, positive when more arrived than left. Adding that change to the beginning balance produces the ending balance, because your closing cash is simply what you started with plus or minus the net movement during the period.
Source:Standard financial (cash-flow) accounting
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter cash inflows and cash outflows.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust beginning balance if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Net cash flow updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
Is cash flow the same as profit?
No, and confusing them sinks businesses. Profit is an accounting measure that records a sale when it is earned, even if the customer has not paid yet. Cash flow tracks money actually moving through the bank account. A profitable company can run out of cash when customers pay late, inventory is bought upfront, or loan repayments fall due. Both numbers matter, but only cash flow tells you whether you can meet this week's bills.
What does negative cash flow mean?
It means more cash left the business than came in during the period, so your closing balance fell. A single negative month is often harmless — you may have prepaid stock, equipment or an annual bill. Sustained negative cash flow is a serious warning: it signals the business is steadily draining its reserves and will eventually be unable to pay. Identify the cause quickly, whether it is slow receivables, overspending or falling sales.
What counts as a cash inflow?
An inflow is any money actually received during the period: customer payments, cash sales, loan proceeds, investor funding, tax refunds and interest earned. The test is whether the cash has genuinely landed in your account, not whether a sale has been agreed. Outflows are the mirror image — supplier payments, wages, rent, loan repayments, tax and equipment purchases. Record each item in the period the money moves, not when the deal was struck.
How can I improve my cash flow?
Speed up money coming in and slow money going out without breaking trust. Invoice immediately, shorten payment terms, chase overdue accounts, and offer small discounts for early payment. On the outflow side, negotiate longer supplier terms, spread large purchases, and keep inventory lean so cash is not trapped on shelves. Build a reserve covering several months of outflows so a single late payment never threatens payroll or rent.
How often should I check cash flow?
Monthly is the minimum for any active business, and weekly is wise when margins are tight, growth is fast, or cash is already stretched. Frequent checks turn a nasty surprise into an early warning you can act on. Pair a backward-looking review of what happened with a simple forward forecast of expected inflows and outflows, so you can see a shortfall coming while there is still time to arrange cover.