Cash Flow Calculator
Enter your monthly income and expenses to see your operating cash flow, margin, and annual projection.
Income
Operating Expenses
Monthly Cash Flow
What Is Operating Cash Flow?
Operating cash flow (OCF) is the money your business generates from its core operations — after paying all operating expenses. It's the difference between what comes in from customers and what goes out to keep the business running. Positive OCF means your operations are self-sustaining; negative OCF means you're burning reserves or debt to stay alive.
OCF is often more important than profit for day-to-day survival. A business can show accounting profit but still run out of cash due to timing mismatches — like paying contractors before clients pay invoices. Cash flow is reality; profit is an accounting concept.
Tracking cash flow monthly reveals patterns: seasonal dips, growing expense categories, or revenue concentration risk. These insights let you make proactive decisions — like building a cash reserve before a slow season — instead of reacting to crises.
How to Improve Your Business Cash Flow
The fastest way to improve cash flow is to get paid faster. Offer early payment discounts, shorten your payment terms from Net 30 to Net 15, and require deposits on large projects. Consider using invoicing software that sends automatic reminders on overdue invoices.
On the expense side, audit your recurring software and tool subscriptions quarterly — most businesses are paying for tools they no longer actively use. Negotiate payment terms with vendors to extend them, which gives you more float. Stagger large expenses across months when possible.
The gold standard is building a cash reserve equal to 3–6 months of operating expenses. This buffer lets you weather slow months without stress and gives you leverage to invest in growth opportunities when they arise.