Seasonal cash flow calculator
Where do changing monthly receipts and payments create a cash shortfall?
A teaching example in the units shown below.
These authored example inputs illustrate the calculation. Replace them with your own documented amounts, periods and rates; they are not measured industry averages or available offers. The twelve-month shape is hypothetical; the tool does not infer an industry's seasonal pattern.
Cash accessible before the first planning month.
A minimum balance to test at opening and each month end. No financing is added automatically.
Use twelve distinct periods in order. Enter receipts and payments in their cash month, including operating costs, taxes, debt service, equipment, owner draws and explicitly planned financing. Count each amount once.
Your entered scenario
Starting exampleCalculation updated using the entered assumptions.
- Total cash receipts
- $131,000.00
- Total cash payments
- $132,000.00
- Net cash movement
- −$1,000.00
- First balance below the floor
- None at checked dates
Opening and month-end cash
| Period | Opening cash | Receipts | Payments | Closing cash | Shortfall to floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | $15,000.00 | $7,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Month 2 | $11,000.00 | $8,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $8,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Month 3 | $8,000.00 | $9,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $6,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Month 4 | $6,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $6,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Month 5 | $6,000.00 | $13,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $8,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Month 6 | $8,000.00 | $15,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $12,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Month 7 | $12,000.00 | $16,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $17,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Month 8 | $17,000.00 | $15,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $21,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Month 9 | $21,000.00 | $12,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $22,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Month 10 | $22,000.00 | $10,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $21,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Month 11 | $21,000.00 | $8,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $18,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Month 12 | $18,000.00 | $7,000.00 | $11,000.00 | $14,000.00 | $0.00 |
Formula and interpretation
Monthly net cash movement = cash receipts − cash payments
Closing cash = opening cash + monthly net cash movement
Each month's closing cash becomes the next month's opening cash.
Extra opening funding is the largest shortfall below the chosen floor across opening and month-end balances.
Enter actual cash timing, including operating payments, taxes, debt service, equipment and owner draws where relevant. Receipts may include funding only if you explicitly enter it.
A later recovery does not remove an earlier shortfall. Negative balances remain visible as a funding problem; the tool adds no automatic loan or cash injection.
The separate zero-cash and protected-floor gaps distinguish basic monthly liquidity from your selected cushion.
Definitions and sources
These references support the definitions and calculation boundaries. The starting numerical example is authored for arithmetic; each available business preset has its own evidence and limitations.
- Cash timing and financial management — U.S. Small Business Administration. Supports distinguishing cash receipts/payment timing from accrual recognition. No seasonal series or required reserve is copied. Accessed September 5, 2026.
Continue with a related calculation
Cash runway
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Open calculator →Startup cost
How much opening funding does your entered budget and reserve assumption require?
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