Startup Cost Calculator
Add up one-time launch costs and monthly running costs to find how much money you need to start a business and cover a runway.
How to use
- 1List one-time costs and monthly costs as 'name amount', one per line.
- 2Choose how many months of runway to fund.
How it's calculated
Money needed = one-time costs + monthly costs × runway months × (1 + contingency %).
Frequently asked questions
How many months of runway should I plan for?
Many advisers suggest 6–12 months of operating costs, since most new businesses take time to reach steady revenue.
Why add a contingency?
Costs almost always run over. A 10–20% buffer covers surprises like fees, deposits and delays.
Should I include my own salary?
If you need to live on the business's money, yes — add it as a monthly cost.