Metrics · Finance · Ops · Monthly · months · Updated 2026-07-21

What is Runway?

Short answer: The number of months a company can continue operating at its current burn rate before running out of cash.

Definition

The number of months a company can continue operating at its current burn rate before running out of cash.

Formula

Cash on hand / Monthly burn rate

How to measure

Divide the current cash balance by the average monthly burn rate over the last three months for a stable estimate.

Why track it

Runway is the most urgent planning number for an early-stage company, defining the deadline for reaching breakeven or closing a next round.

Example

A company with $480,000 in the bank and a $80,000 monthly burn rate has six months of runway.

FAQ

What is Runway?
The number of months a company can continue operating at its current burn rate before running out of cash.
How do you calculate Runway?
Cash on hand / Monthly burn rate
Why track Runway?
Runway is the most urgent planning number for an early-stage company, defining the deadline for reaching breakeven or closing a next round.
What is Runway? Definition, formula, and growth use · Cofounderbase