Working Capital Calculator
Calculate working capital, current ratio, and liquidity metrics for your business. Assess short-term financial health.
Cash in bank, savings, money market
Money owed by customers
Value of goods for sale
Prepaid expenses, short-term investments
Money owed to suppliers
Loans/debt due within 1 year
Wages, taxes, utilities owed
Other short-term obligations
What is working capital?
Working capital is the money available for day-to-day business operations. Formula: Current Assets - Current Liabilities. Positive working capital means you can pay short-term bills. Negative means you may struggle to cover expenses and need financing or asset liquidation.
What is a good working capital ratio?
Working Capital Ratio (Current Ratio) = Current Assets / Current Liabilities. Ideal: 1.5 to 2.0. Below 1.0: liquidity problems. Above 2.0: inefficient use of assets. Varies by industry—retail may need lower, manufacturing higher. Compare to industry benchmarks.
What are current assets and current liabilities?
Current Assets: cash, accounts receivable, inventory, marketable securities (convertible to cash within 1 year). Current Liabilities: accounts payable, short-term debt, accrued expenses, taxes payable (due within 1 year). Working capital = the difference.
How do I improve my working capital?
Increase current assets: collect receivables faster, reduce inventory levels, negotiate better payment terms. Decrease current liabilities: extend payables (don't hurt credit), refinance short-term debt to long-term, reduce unnecessary expenses. Focus on cash conversion cycle.
What is the difference between working capital and cash flow?
Working capital is a balance sheet snapshot (assets - liabilities at a point in time). Cash flow tracks actual cash movement over a period. You can have positive working capital but negative cash flow if assets are tied up in inventory/receivables. Both are crucial for business health.