Cash Flow Forecast Calculator

Cash flow beats profitability every time. Plenty of profitable DTC brands go under because they run out of cash while waiting for inventory to sell, and plenty of unprofitable brands survive long enough to turn the corner because they manage cash well. This tool gives you a quick 30, 60, and 90-day outlook using steady-state assumptions: constant revenue, constant COGS percent, constant operating expense. Real life is lumpier, but this is the baseline you start from.

What this tool does not capture: inventory POs (large chunks of cash leaving the business one to four months before the related revenue comes in), seasonal revenue swings, quarterly tax payments, financing payments, and accounts payable timing. Build a rolling 13-week cash flow spreadsheet alongside this calculator if you are managing a growing business. Most founders who blow up cash positions did not see a PO payment coming that week.

Healthy DTC brands keep a cash reserve of at least three months of operating expense at all times. That buffer is what lets you say no to bad deals, take advantage of better freight rates, and survive the slow quarter without scrambling.