.br-calculator-container {
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
max-width: 650px;
margin: 20px auto;
padding: 30px;
background: #f9fbfd;
border: 1px solid #e1e4e8;
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.br-calculator-title {
text-align: center;
color: #2c3e50;
margin-bottom: 25px;
font-size: 24px;
font-weight: 700;
}
.br-input-group {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.br-label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 8px;
font-weight: 600;
color: #4a5568;
font-size: 14px;
}
.br-input-wrapper {
position: relative;
}
.br-input {
width: 100%;
padding: 12px;
border: 2px solid #cbd5e0;
border-radius: 6px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
transition: border-color 0.2s;
}
.br-input:focus {
border-color: #3182ce;
outline: none;
}
.br-currency-symbol {
position: absolute;
left: 12px;
top: 50%;
transform: translateY(-50%);
color: #718096;
}
.br-input.has-symbol {
padding-left: 25px;
}
.br-btn {
width: 100%;
padding: 14px;
background-color: #3182ce;
color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 6px;
font-size: 16px;
font-weight: 600;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.2s;
margin-top: 10px;
}
.br-btn:hover {
background-color: #2c5282;
}
.br-result-section {
margin-top: 30px;
padding: 20px;
background: #fff;
border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
border-radius: 6px;
display: none;
}
.br-result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
padding: 10px 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid #edf2f7;
}
.br-result-row:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
}
.br-result-label {
color: #718096;
font-size: 14px;
}
.br-result-value {
font-weight: 700;
font-size: 18px;
color: #2d3748;
}
.br-highlight {
color: #e53e3e; /* Red for burn */
}
.br-positive {
color: #38a169; /* Green for profit */
}
.br-article-content {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 40px auto;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
}
.br-article-content h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-top: 30px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #eee;
padding-bottom: 10px;
}
.br-article-content h3 {
color: #34495e;
margin-top: 20px;
}
.br-article-content ul {
margin-left: 20px;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.br-article-content p {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.br-callout {
background-color: #ebf8ff;
border-left: 4px solid #4299e1;
padding: 15px;
margin: 20px 0;
border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0;
}
function calculateFinancialBurnRate() {
// Get Input Values
var openingCash = parseFloat(document.getElementById('openingCash').value);
var closingCash = parseFloat(document.getElementById('closingCash').value);
var months = parseFloat(document.getElementById('timePeriod').value);
// Output Elements
var resultSection = document.getElementById('brResults');
var totalConsumedEl = document.getElementById('totalCashConsumed');
var monthlyBurnEl = document.getElementById('monthlyBurnRate');
var runwayEl = document.getElementById('cashRunway');
var statusEl = document.getElementById('statusMessage');
// Validation
if (isNaN(openingCash) || isNaN(closingCash) || isNaN(months) || months <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid numbers. The time period must be greater than 0.");
return;
}
// Calculation Logic
// Formula: Cash Burned = Opening – Closing
var totalCashBurned = openingCash – closingCash;
// Monthly Burn Rate = Total Burned / Months
var monthlyBurnRate = totalCashBurned / months;
// Runway = Closing Cash / Monthly Burn Rate (if burning cash)
var runway = 0;
resultSection.style.display = 'block';
// Formatters
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
minimumFractionDigits: 2
});
// Update Total Consumed
if (totalCashBurned < 0) {
// Cash increased
totalConsumedEl.innerHTML = "+" + formatter.format(Math.abs(totalCashBurned));
totalConsumedEl.className = "br-result-value br-positive";
} else {
// Cash decreased
totalConsumedEl.innerHTML = "-" + formatter.format(totalCashBurned);
totalConsumedEl.className = "br-result-value br-highlight";
}
// Update Monthly Burn Rate
if (monthlyBurnRate 0) {
runway = closingCash / monthlyBurnRate;
runwayEl.innerHTML = runway.toFixed(1) + " Months";
if (runway < 6) {
statusEl.innerHTML = "CRITICAL: Less than 6 months of cash remaining.";
statusEl.style.color = "#e53e3e";
} else if (runway < 12) {
statusEl.innerHTML = "WARNING: Less than 12 months of cash remaining.";
statusEl.style.color = "#dd6b20";
} else {
statusEl.innerHTML = "Healthy runway (12+ months).";
statusEl.style.color = "#38a169";
}
} else {
runwayEl.innerHTML = "0 Months";
statusEl.innerHTML = "Cash balance is depleted.";
statusEl.style.color = "#e53e3e";
}
}
}
How to Calculate Burn Rate from Financial Statements
Calculating your burn rate directly from your financial statements is the most accurate way to understand your company's financial health. Unlike theoretical budgets, your Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement reveal exactly how much cash is leaving your bank account over a specific period.
This calculator uses the Balance Sheet Method, which looks at the net change in your cash position between two dates. This effectively gives you your "Net Burn Rate," accounting for all income and all expenses.
Why this matters: Investors and founders use this metric to calculate "Runway"—the amount of time left before the company runs out of money.
Where to Find the Data
To use this calculator, you need three numbers which can be found in your standard financial reporting package (Xero, QuickBooks, NetSuite, etc.):
1. Opening Cash Balance
Look at your Balance Sheet. Locate the section labeled "Assets," specifically "Current Assets." Look for the line item "Cash and Cash Equivalents."
- If you are calculating burn for Q1 (Jan-Mar), use the cash balance from January 1st.
2. Closing Cash Balance
On the same Balance Sheet report, find the "Cash and Cash Equivalents" for the end of the period.
- If you are calculating burn for Q1, use the cash balance from March 31st.
3. Statement Period Duration
This is simply the number of months between your opening and closing balance.
- Monthly Statement = 1
- Quarterly Statement = 3
- Annual Statement = 12
The Logic Behind the Calculation
While you can calculate burn rate by adding up expenses on an Income Statement (P&L), the Balance Sheet method is often safer because it captures non-P&L cash movements, such as purchasing assets, paying down debt principal, or changes in working capital.
The Formula:
Net Burn Rate = (Opening Cash – Closing Cash) / Number of Months
Runway Formula:
Runway = Current Cash Balance / Monthly Net Burn Rate
Example Scenario
Let's say a startup wants to know their burn rate for the first quarter of the year.
- January 1st Cash: $500,000
- March 31st Cash: $425,000
- Difference: $75,000 consumed
- Time Period: 3 Months
Calculation: $75,000 / 3 Months = $25,000 Monthly Burn Rate.
With $425,000 remaining, their runway is $425,000 / $25,000 = 17 Months.
Gross Burn vs. Net Burn
It is important to distinguish between the two types of burn rate:
- Gross Burn: The total amount of monthly operating expenses. This ignores any revenue coming in. (Calculated from the P&L Expense total).
- Net Burn: The amount of cash you are losing each month after revenue is accounted for. This is what the calculator above determines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my Burn Rate is negative?
If the calculator shows a negative burn rate (or positive numbers in green), it means you are Cash Flow Positive. Your cash balance increased over the period, meaning your revenue exceeded your expenses.
Should I include credit lines in "Cash Balance"?
Generally, no. Burn rate calculations usually focus on "Cash and Cash Equivalents" (liquid bank money). However, if you have a guaranteed line of credit that acts as a buffer, some CFOs include available credit in the "Runway" calculation, though not in the burn rate itself.
What is a "Good" Burn Rate?
A "good" burn rate is relative to your funding and stage of growth. However, a healthy rule of thumb for venture-backed startups is to maintain a runway of at least 12 to 18 months. If your runway drops below 6 months, immediate fundraising or cost-cutting is required.