Keywords · Finance · Ops · Updated 2026-07-21

What is Burn Rate?

Short answer: The rate at which a company spends its cash reserves each month, net of revenue.

Definition

The rate at which a company spends its cash reserves each month, net of revenue.

Why it matters for growth

Burn rate combined with cash on hand determines exactly how many months a company has before it must raise, cut costs, or become profitable.

Example

A startup spending $120,000 more than it earns each month has a burn rate of $120,000.

FAQ

What is Burn Rate?
The rate at which a company spends its cash reserves each month, net of revenue.
Why does Burn Rate matter for growth?
Burn rate combined with cash on hand determines exactly how many months a company has before it must raise, cut costs, or become profitable.
What is an example of Burn Rate?
A startup spending $120,000 more than it earns each month has a burn rate of $120,000.