Cash Flow Calculator
Calculate operating cash flow, free cash flow, EBITDA, and break-even point. Includes 12-month cash flow forecast, NPV, IRR, and DCF business valuation tools for South African businesses.
Quick Calculator Get a fast estimate
R
R
R
R
R
R
EBITDA
R 200 000
Gross profit
R 400 000
EBIT (operating profit)
R 150 000
Tax (27% CIT est.)
R 40 500
NOPAT
R 109 500
Operating cash flow
R 139 500
Free cash flow
R 59 500
Gross margin
40.0%
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How to Use the Cash Flow Calculator
Enter revenue, COGS, operating expenses, depreciation, capex, and working capital changes. The calculator instantly shows EBITDA, operating cash flow, and free cash flow — the key metrics lenders and investors review.
The Extended Calculator builds a 12-month forecast, calculates liquidity ratios (current, quick, DSO), and finds the break-even point. The Professional Calculator performs NPV/IRR analysis and full DCF business valuations.
Need more detail?
Extended Calculator More options, charts, and scenario comparison
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%
R
R
| Month | Revenue | Gross profit | Net profit | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R 100 000 | R 40 000 | R 15 000 | R 15 000 |
| 2 | R 105 000 | R 45 000 | R 20 000 | R 35 000 |
| 3 | R 110 250 | R 50 250 | R 25 250 | R 60 250 |
| 4 | R 115 763 | R 55 763 | R 30 763 | R 91 013 |
| 5 | R 121 551 | R 61 551 | R 36 551 | R 127 563 |
| 6 | R 127 628 | R 67 628 | R 42 628 | R 170 191 |
| 7 | R 134 010 | R 74 010 | R 49 010 | R 219 201 |
| 8 | R 140 710 | R 80 710 | R 55 710 | R 274 911 |
| 9 | R 147 746 | R 87 746 | R 62 746 | R 337 656 |
| 10 | R 155 133 | R 95 133 | R 70 133 | R 407 789 |
| 11 | R 162 889 | R 102 889 | R 77 889 | R 485 679 |
| 12 | R 171 034 | R 111 034 | R 86 034 | R 571 713 |
Cash Flow Formulas
Gross profit = Revenue − COGS
EBITDA = Gross profit − Operating expenses
EBIT = EBITDA − Depreciation & amortisation
NOPAT = EBIT × (1 − tax rate)
Operating cash flow = NOPAT + D&A − ΔWorking capital
Free cash flow = Operating CF − Capital expenditure
Break-even units = Fixed costs ÷ (Price − Variable cost)
Key Cash Flow Metrics
| Metric | Formula | Healthy benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | Gross profit ÷ Revenue | > 30% (industry dependent) |
| EBITDA margin | EBITDA ÷ Revenue | > 15% |
| Current ratio | Current assets ÷ Current liabilities | 1.5–2.0 |
| Quick ratio | (Current assets − Inventory) ÷ Current liabilities | ≥ 1.0 |
| Days sales outstanding | Receivables ÷ (Revenue/365) | < 45 days |
| Cash conversion cycle | DSO + DIO − DPO | Lower is better |
Need full precision?
Professional Calculator Complete parameters, sensitivity analysis, and detailed breakdown
R
R
yrs
%
Investment analysis
NPV: R 40 716
IRR
0.15%
Decision
Accept (NPV ≥ 0)
Total undiscounted CF
R 250 000
Frequently Asked Questions
Profit = revenue − expenses (accrual basis, includes non-cash items). Cash flow = actual cash received minus paid. A business can show profit but run out of cash if debtors pay late or large investments are made. "Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity, cash is reality."
FCF = Net profit + D&A − ΔWCA − Capex. Or: FCF = Operating cash flow − Capex. FCF shows cash available after maintaining and growing the business. Positive FCF signals a healthy, self-funding business. Negative FCF may be fine if growth capex is high.
1.5–2.0 is healthy. Below 1.0 = potential liquidity problems. FNB, Absa, and Standard Bank typically require current ratio ≥ 1.5 for SME overdrafts. The IDC also uses working capital ratios in project funding assessments.
NPV = sum of (CF_t ÷ (1+r)^t) − Initial investment. If NPV > 0, the investment creates value above the required return. SA businesses typically use WACC 12–18%. DFIs (IDC, DBSA) require positive NPV for project funding approvals.
Break-even units = Fixed costs ÷ (Price − Variable cost). For a restaurant with R80,000 monthly fixed costs, R200 average spend, R80 food cost: CM = R120, break-even = 667 covers/month. Above that, every cover contributes R120 to profit.