MDMLFree calculator
Startup cost calculator. What it takes to open, in one number.
Your startup cost is everything you pay once to open, plus enough monthly costs to last until sales carry them, plus a cushion. Change any line below and the total follows. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
One-time costs, to open the doors
Monthly costs, every month
The plan
- One-time costs
- $6,000.00
- Monthly costs
- $3,300.00
- Runway
- $19,800.00
- Cushion
- $3,870.00
- Sales a month to cover monthly costs
- $5,500.00
How to calculate startup costs
List costs from real quotes where you can. A number from a supplier is worth more than a guess, and each one you replace makes the total more honest.
Total = (one-time costs + monthly costs x months of runway) x (1 + cushion %)
- List what you pay onceRegistration and licenses, deposits, equipment, first stock, signs, your website. If you don't know a license fee, call the city or check its site.
- List what you pay every monthRent, insurance, phone and software, fuel, loan payments and your own pay. Leave out the cost of what you sell, which rises and falls with sales.
- Choose your runwayHow many months of costs you want in the bank, assuming slow sales at first. More months means more to raise and more time to find customers.
- Add a cushionA percent on top for what the list missed.
- Compare with your cashThe difference is what you still need from savings, a loan or a partner, or what to cut.
A worked example
A made-up small shop, the numbers the calculator opens with. Your costs will differ, so treat none of these as typical.
| Business registration and licenses | $400.00 |
|---|---|
| Equipment and tools | $3,500.00 |
| First stock and supplies | $1,200.00 |
| Website, signs and printing | $900.00 |
| One-time costs | $6,000.00 |
| $3,300.00 a month for 6 months | $19,800.00 |
| Cushion of 15% | $3,870.00 |
| What it takes to open | $29,670.00 |
| Cash on hand | $12,000.00 |
| Still to find | $17,670.00 |
If 60% of each sale is left after the cost of what was sold, this shop covers its $3,300.00 a month at $5,500.00 in sales.
Still deciding on the idea? Get a plan with the market around you, the licenses it needs and suppliers that serve your area.Start a business
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