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Savings Runway Calculator
The runway is the time between arrival and the point where income covers spending. Enter savings, setup costs, monthly spend and expected income.
If the monthly gap is zero or negative, income already covers spending and the runway figure no longer applies. The safe runway keeps 20% of savings out of the calculation for the costs that cluster at the end.
Runway is cash divided by burn
The useful definition is narrower than "how long can I survive": runway is the cash left after setup costs, divided by the monthly gap between spending and income. A move with 12,000 in savings, 3,000 of setup and a 1,000 monthly gap has a nine-month runway.
Income rarely starts on day one and rarely arrives in full. Enter the amount you can count on, not the amount you hope for, and rerun the calculation when the first invoice is paid.
Why hold back twenty percent
The final months of a runway are more expensive than the middle: a flight home, a visa renewal, a deposit on the next place, or the cost of leaving a lease early. Holding back twenty percent turns the runway from a best case into a plan with an exit.
The safe runway is the number to compare with your visa or lease commitments. If the commitment outlasts the safe runway, the plan needs more cash or earlier income.
Frequently asked questions
Should setup costs be subtracted from savings?
Yes, if they have not been paid yet. Money already committed is not available to fund the monthly gap.
Is expected income counted gross or net?
Use the amount that actually reaches your account after fees and tax. Gross income overstates the runway.
What counts as a negative gap?
When income is at least equal to spending, the gap is zero or negative and savings are not being burned. In that case the runway is not the binding constraint; liquidity and setup costs are.
How often should I rerun this?
Monthly, and after any change in rent, income or visa plans. A runway is a moving number, not a one-time calculation.