Burn Rate

KPI Name

Burn Rate

Alternative Names

Cash Burn Rate

KPI Description

Measures how quickly a company is spending its cash reserves before generating positive cash flow.

Category

Financial

KPI Type

Quantitative, Leading

Target Audience

Startup founders, CFOs, investors

Formula

Burn Rate = Total Monthly Expenses

Calculation Example

If a company spends $50,000 per month and has $500,000 in reserves, the burn rate is $50,000, and the runway is 10 months.

Data Source

Cash flow statements, accounting reports

Tracking Frequency

Monthly, Quarterly

Optimal Value

Lower is better; indicates financial efficiency.

Minimum Acceptable Value

Must be low enough to sustain operations until profitability is reached.

Benchmark

Startups aim for a burn rate that allows at least 12-18 months of runway.

Recommended Chart Type

Line chart (to track ca

How It Appears in Reports

Why Is This KPI Important?

Typical Problems and Limitations

Actions for Poor Results

Related KPIs

Real-Life Examples

Most Common Mistakes