What is cash flow?
Cash flow is the movement of cash into and out of a business during a period.
Business Calculator
Cash Flow Calculator
Calculate net cash flow and ending cash balance from beginning cash, cash inflows, and cash outflows.
Result
Net cash flow
Enter beginning cash balance to calculate cash flow.
Ending Cash Balance = Beginning Cash Balance + Net Cash Flow
Explanation
What cash flow means
Net Cash Flow = Cash Inflows - Cash Outflows
Ending Cash Balance = Beginning Cash Balance + Net Cash Flow
Cash flow tracks cash moving into and out of a business during a period. It is not always the same as profit.
Beginning cash is the amount available at the start. Inflows are cash received, outflows are cash paid, net cash flow is the difference, and ending cash is what remains after the period.
Worked example
Example calculation
Beginning cash5,000
Cash inflows12,000
Cash outflows9,000
Net cash flow3,000
Ending cash balance8,000
Cash inflows of 12,000 minus cash outflows of 9,000 gives positive net cash flow of 3,000. Adding that to 5,000 beginning cash gives 8,000 ending cash.
Common mistakes
Mistakes to avoid
Confusing profit with cash flow
Forgetting unpaid invoices are not cash received yet
Mixing up cash inflows and outflows
Ignoring beginning cash balance
Treating positive cash flow as the only sign of business health
Related tools
Connect cash flow with simple business checks
Use break-even, ratio, and equation tools to keep reviewing the bigger picture.
FAQ
Cash Flow Calculator FAQs
How do you calculate net cash flow?
Subtract cash outflows from cash inflows. The result is net cash flow for the period.
What is ending cash balance?
Ending cash balance is beginning cash balance plus net cash flow.
Is cash flow the same as profit?
No. Profit is based on income and expenses, while cash flow focuses on cash received and cash paid.
What does negative cash flow mean?
Negative cash flow means cash outflows were higher than cash inflows for the period.
Can this calculator help with accounting homework?
Yes. It can help check simple net cash flow and ending cash balance calculations.