Bottom-up estimate
Startup Cost Calculator
Add your real commitments. The result separates launch spending, monthly burn, working capital, and contingency.
Updated
How the startup calculator works
Total cash needed = one-time costs + (monthly costs x runway months) + working capital + contingency reserve. The calculator adds your setup costs, multiplies your monthly burn by the months you expect to run before revenue covers it, adds any cash tied up in inventory or unpaid invoices, then puts a percentage reserve on top of the whole amount.
Worked example with the default inputs
| Bucket | Default inputs | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| One-time setup | $250 registration, $300 licenses, $1,000 equipment, $250 website | $1,800 |
| Monthly costs | $100 software, $100 insurance, $300 marketing, $150 other | $650 / month |
| Runway | $650 x 6 months | $3,900 |
| Working capital | No receivables gap | $0 |
| Contingency | 15% of $5,700 | $855 |
| Total cash needed | $6,555 |
Notice that runway, not setup, is the biggest line. That is typical for lean service and online businesses and is the number most first budgets leave out.
What this startup cost calculator includes
The calculator separates one-time setup, recurring monthly costs, working capital, runway, and contingency. That makes the assumptions inspectable and prevents a cheap launch budget from hiding the cash needed to survive a slower sales ramp.
The split follows the U.S. Small Business Administration's startup cost guidance, which tells founders to organize expenses into one-time and monthly costs and to count at least one year of monthly expenses when planning funding. The SBA also suggests adding a little extra, around 10%, for expenses you cannot predict, which is why the default reserve here is 15%.
Startup calculator vs break-even calculator
This tool answers how much cash you need before launch and through the ramp. A break-even calculator answers how much you need to sell to stop losing money, using the SBA formula fixed costs / (price per unit - variable cost per unit). Use this calculator first to size the budget, then check that the break-even volume is reachable inside your runway.
Use three scenarios, not one answer
Run a lean validation case, an expected launch, and a delayed-sales case. Begin with the smallest version that can produce trustworthy demand evidence. Read the complete startup-cost guide, compare service business ideas, or see how to start with no money.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate startup costs?
Use this formula: total cash needed = one-time setup costs + (monthly operating costs x runway months) + working capital, then add a contingency reserve on top. With the default inputs that is $1,800 + ($650 x 6) + $0 = $5,700, plus a 15% reserve of $855, for $6,555 in total. This calculator keeps each bucket visible.
What is a startup budget calculator?
A startup budget calculator is a tool that totals the cash a new business needs before it becomes self-funding. A good one separates one-time costs from monthly costs, which is how the U.S. Small Business Administration recommends organizing startup expenses, so you can see what you pay once and what you pay every month until revenue catches up.
How many months of runway should I include?
Use the number of months in a realistic delayed-sales case, not only the best case. Six months is the starting example, but a lease, hiring plan, or slow collection cycle may justify more. The SBA suggests counting at least one year of monthly expenses for a funding plan.
What counts as working capital?
Working capital is cash temporarily tied up before the business collects from customers, such as inventory purchases, supplier deposits, or the gap between payroll and invoice payment.
Should I include my own salary?
Include the personal cash you need to remain able to work on the business. You can place it in monthly costs or maintain a separate personal runway, but do not pretend it is zero.
Is the startup cost calculator free?
Yes. It is free, runs in your browser, and requires no signup.
Are these results financial advice?
No. The output is a planning estimate based on your inputs. Obtain local quotes and professional guidance for tax, licensing, insurance, legal, and financing decisions.