Free Tool
Cash Flow Calculator for Business
Use our free cash flow calculator for business to track money in and out each month, calculate your net cash position, and spot potential shortfalls before they become problems. Enter your figures below for an instant result — no sign-up required.
How to Use This Cash Flow Calculator
- Money In: Enter your total monthly sales revenue and any other income (grants, interest, loan proceeds).
- Money Out: Enter each monthly cost category. Leave any that don’t apply as 0.
- Click Calculate Cash Flow to see your total inflows, outflows, and net cash position.
- Use the chart and result cards to identify your biggest cost areas and whether your cash flow is positive or negative.
Monthly Cash Flow Calculator
Monthly Money In
£0.00
Total cash inflows this month
Monthly Money Out
£0.00
Total cash outflows this month
Net Cash Flow
£0.00
Inflows minus outflows
Inflows vs. Outflows
How to Interpret Your Cash Flow Result
Positive Cash Flow
Healthy. More money is coming in than going out. Use the surplus to build a cash reserve, reinvest in growth, or pay down debt.
Negative Cash Flow
Warning. More is leaving than coming in. This is unsustainable without a cash reserve. Take action immediately — increase revenue or cut costs.
Break-Even
Stable but fragile. Inflows match outflows exactly. Any unexpected cost or dip in revenue will push you negative. Aim for a consistent surplus.
Why Cash Flow Is the Lifeblood of Your Business
Profit is a theory; cash is a fact. A business can look healthy on a P&L statement while quietly running out of money in the bank — a situation that has killed countless otherwise viable companies. Cash flow is the net amount of cash actually moving into and out of your business each period, and it is the single most important number for day-to-day survival.
Our free cash flow calculator for business breaks your monthly finances into two simple buckets — money in and money out — and gives you your net position instantly. Use it to spot problems before they become crises, plan for upcoming expenses, and make informed decisions about hiring, investment, and growth.
Real-World Example
A freelance designer invoices £5,000 in January. Monthly costs — software subscriptions, home office, professional insurance — total £1,200. Their net cash flow is a healthy +£3,800. But here’s the catch: the client has 60-day payment terms. The invoice won’t land in their account until March. In January and February, their actual cash flow is –£1,200 per month. They are profitable on paper, but cash-flow negative in reality. A cash flow forecast would have flagged this gap before it became a problem.
The Cash Flow Formula
Total Inflows = Sales + Other Income
Total Outflows = Sum of all expenses
Net Cash Flow = Total Inflows − Total Outflows
A positive result means more cash is coming in than going out. A negative result means you are burning cash.
Cash Flow vs Profit — Key Difference
Profit
Revenue minus expenses on paper. Includes invoices sent but not yet paid. An accounting figure.
Cash Flow
Actual money in your bank account. Only counts cash you have actually received and spent.
How to Improve Your Cash Flow
If your result is negative or tighter than you’d like, here are the most effective levers to pull:
Increase Inflows
- → Chase overdue invoices immediately
- → Offer a small discount for early payment
- → Switch to upfront or deposit-based billing
- → Run a short-term promotion to bring revenue forward
Reduce Outflows
- → Audit subscriptions and cancel unused tools
- → Negotiate longer payment terms with suppliers
- → Delay non-essential capital expenditure
- → Renegotiate rent, insurance, or service contracts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cash flow calculator for business?
A cash flow calculator for business helps you work out your net monthly cash position by totalling all money coming into your business and subtracting all money going out. The result tells you whether your business is generating or consuming cash — and by how much.
What is the difference between cash flow and profit?
Profit is an accounting measure that includes money you are owed but haven’t yet received. Cash flow is the money that has actually moved in or out of your bank account. A business can be profitable on paper but cash-flow negative if customers are slow to pay — which is one of the most common causes of small business failure.
What should I do if my cash flow is negative?
You have two levers: increase inflows or reduce outflows. For inflows, chase outstanding invoices, offer early payment discounts, or shift to upfront billing. For outflows, audit subscriptions, renegotiate supplier terms, or delay non-essential purchases. Start with your biggest cost categories — these offer the greatest potential savings.
How often should I forecast my cash flow?
For most small businesses, a monthly cash flow review is the minimum. If your income is irregular or margins are tight, a weekly review is better. Many founders maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast, updated monthly. The key is to forecast before problems arise — not after.
What is a good cash flow for a small business?
Any consistently positive net cash flow is a healthy foundation. The goal is to maintain a cash reserve of at least 3 months of operating expenses as a buffer against unexpected costs or slow revenue months. A growing cash reserve alongside positive monthly cash flow is the clearest sign of a financially healthy business.
Related Free Calculators
Use these alongside your cash flow analysis for a fuller financial picture.
Need a multi-year cash flow model?
Go deeper with our Cash Flow Forecast template
Our premium template gives you a complete multi-year cash flow forecast with scenario analysis and dashboard reporting — for Excel and Google Sheets.