A cash flow projector shows month by month whether your business will have enough cash to operate. Unlike a profit and loss statement, it tracks actual cash timing — when money arrives, not when it's earned. Enter your starting balance, revenue streams, and expenses to see your 12-month cash position.
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Cash Flow Chart
How to Build a Cash Flow Projection
A solid cash flow projection is essential for managing a business — it tells you whether you'll have enough cash to pay staff and suppliers before a revenue shortfall turns into a crisis. Banks and investors often require one for loan or funding applications.
Step 1: Set Your Starting Cash Balance
Enter your current bank balance (or the cash balance at the start of the projection period). This becomes Month 1's opening balance and anchors all cumulative calculations that follow.
Step 2: Add Revenue Streams
Click "+ Revenue" to add each source of cash inflow. Common revenue rows include: product sales, service revenue, consulting fees, subscription income, and one-time project payments. Enter your projected amount for each month — be conservative on the upside.
Step 3: Add Expenses
Click "+ Expense" to add each cash outflow category. Include: salaries, rent, marketing, software, COGS, loan repayments, and any other recurring or seasonal expenses. Don't forget quarterly tax payments or annual insurance premiums.
Step 4: Analyze the Chart
The bar chart shows monthly net cash flow (green = positive, red = negative). The line shows your cumulative cash balance. If the cumulative line dips below zero, you'll need funding, a credit line, or expense cuts before that month. The total column on the right shows your annual aggregates.
Export and Refine
Click "Copy CSV" to export to Excel or Google Sheets for more complex scenario modeling. Revisit your projection monthly — compare actuals against projections and update forward months based on what you've learned. A rolling 12-month forecast is more valuable than a static annual budget.
FAQ
What is a cash flow projection?
A cash flow projection estimates the cash inflows and outflows for a future period, typically month by month. It shows when you'll have surplus cash (positive) or shortfalls (negative), and tracks your cumulative cash position over time. Unlike a P&L, cash flow focuses on timing of actual cash movements.
Is this cash flow projector free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations run in your browser and your data is never sent to any server.
How many revenue and expense categories can I add?
You can add as many revenue and expense categories as you need. The table automatically expands to accommodate more rows.
How do I export my cash flow projection?
Click 'Copy as CSV' to copy the projection data as comma-separated values, which you can paste directly into Excel or Google Sheets. Use 'Print' to save as PDF.
What is cumulative cash flow?
Cumulative cash flow adds up your net cash flow month by month. It shows your running total cash position from your starting balance. A positive cumulative means you still have cash; negative means you've exhausted your starting balance and need funding.
What is the difference between cash flow and profit?
Profit is revenue minus expenses on an accrual basis (when earned/incurred). Cash flow is actual cash in minus cash out. A business can be profitable but cash-flow negative if customers pay slowly or if it's investing heavily in inventory. Cash flow is what keeps the lights on day-to-day.