Startup Cost Calculator

Input accuracy

Are you using real, current numbers — not rough guesses that flatter the result?

Benchmark fit

Is your result healthy for your specific business model, not just positive?

Sensitivity

Which single input, if wrong, would change the result most?

Time horizon

Does this hold up over 12 months, or only at today's volume?

Next decision

What should change in the business because of this number?

Most first-time founders underestimate launch costs by 30–50% because they only budget for the obvious line items — incorporation, a website, some inventory — and forget the recurring costs that compound every month.

This calculator splits your costs into one-off setup spend and recurring monthly burn, then tells you exactly how many months your available capital will last. Use it before you commit capital, not after.

Free calculator

Work out your total launch cost, monthly burn rate, and how many months your capital will last.

One-off setup costs£

Monthly running costs£/mo

Monthly revenue (if any)£/mo

Available capital£

Results

One-off total£3.0k

Net monthly burn£1.5k

12-month total cost£21.0k

Runway8 months

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Why founders get startup costs wrong

The typical mistake is planning for the launch, not the runway. A founder budgets £5,000 to get live, hits that number, and only then realises the monthly software subscriptions, contractor invoices and ad spend add up to £2,000 a month — with no revenue yet to offset it.

Separating one-off costs from monthly burn forces the real question: not 'can I afford to launch' but 'can I afford to survive long enough to find out if this works'.

What counts as a one-off cost

Incorporation and legal setup, initial inventory or equipment, one-time software licences, brand and website build, and any deposit or key-money payments. These hit once and don't recur.

What counts as monthly burn

Software subscriptions, hosting, payroll or contractor retainers, rent, insurance, and any recurring ad spend. This is the number that determines your runway — get it right or your capital estimate is fiction.

How this calculator works

Enter your one-off setup costs and your expected monthly running costs.
Enter any monthly revenue you expect from day one (0 if pre-revenue).
Enter your available capital — savings, loan, or raised funding.
The calculator computes net monthly burn, 12-month total cost, and runway in months.

Direct answer — Startup Cost Calculator

Calculate your total launch cost, monthly burn rate, and runway in 60 seconds. Free startup cost calculator — no signup required.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to start a small business?

It varies enormously by model — a service business can launch for under £1,000, while an inventory-heavy ecommerce brand can need £10,000+. The number that matters more than the launch cost is your monthly burn rate and how long your capital covers it.

What's a healthy runway for a pre-revenue startup?

12–18 months is the common target, giving enough time to find product-market fit without panic-driven decisions. Under 6 months of runway usually means you need to cut burn or raise capital immediately.

Should I include my own salary in monthly costs?

Yes, if you need to draw an income to survive — otherwise your runway calculation will be wildly optimistic. If you can go unpaid for a period, model both scenarios.

Last reviewed 13 September 2026