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Three busy months, then nine quiet ones
You start with 12,000. Three busy months bring 18,000 each. The other nine bring 5,000. Spending stays 11,000 every month.
Cash at the start: 25% lower
Change cash at the start to 9,000 while keeping the other example values the same.
Cash at the start: 25% higher
Change cash at the start to 15,000 while keeping the other example values the same.
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Quick answer
What does the Seasonal cash gap calculate?
How low does cash fall when busy months are followed by quiet ones? This calculator uses cash at the start, busy months, receipts in a busy month, receipts in a quiet month, and spending every month to estimate lowest cash in the year immediately in your browser.
With the values currently entered, the result is -$21,000.00 — short at the low point. It also shows ending cash, months spending exceeds receipts, quiet-month gap, and cash after the busy months.
How to use the Seasonal cash gap
- Replace the example values with your own numbers.
- Review the result and supporting figures as they update automatically.
- Check the formula and assumptions before using the estimate for a decision.
Inputs used
- Cash at the start
- Busy months — entered in months
- Receipts in a busy month
- Receipts in a quiet month
- Spending every month
Seasonal cash gap formula
For 12 months, busy months come first. Each month adds receipts and subtracts spending. The gap is the lowest cash on that path.
Assumptions
- SBA describes a cash-flow projection as money in and money out. The cash method records a sale when the payment arrives. This page uses the receipts and spending you type.
- Busy months come first, then quiet months. A tax bill, a stock-up, or a busy season later in the year can move the trough.
Verify the inputs
Authoritative sources
These sources explain the definitions, factors, or rules behind this tool. Their geographic scope is shown because an official source for one country is not automatically valid somewhere else.
Sources do not endorse Calculum. Check the source date, scope, and your own documents before making a financial, tax, insurance, or reporting decision.
Practical guide
Seasonal cash gap example and edge cases
A seasonal year can show a profit and still run out of cash. SBA asks you to project cash flow from money in and money out. This page walks twelve months. Busy months come first. Quiet months follow. Cash moves by that month’s receipts minus spending.
Example: Three busy months, then nine quiet ones
You start with 12,000. Three busy months bring 18,000 each. The other nine bring 5,000. Spending stays 11,000 every month.
- Cash at the start
- 12,000
- Busy months
- 3 months
- Receipts in a busy month
- 18,000
- Receipts in a quiet month
- 5,000
- Spending every month
- 11,000
Calculated result-$21,000.00short at the low point
Cash reaches 33,000 after the busy months, then falls. The low point is 21,000 short. Nine months spend more than they collect. Ending cash is also 21,000 short.
Example results use the default display profile. The calculator above follows your selected country and units.
How to read the result
- Read the lowest cash first. A negative number is the extra cash this calendar needs before the year starts, if the pattern holds.
- The short-month count is how long spending outruns receipts. The quiet-month gap is one of those months on its own, here 6,000.
Edge cases worth checking
The busy season is not at the start
This page puts busy months first. If the slow season comes first, the trough arrives sooner and the opening cash has to cover it. Raise the starting cash and read the low point again.
A tax bill lands in one quiet month
Spending is flat here. A quarterly tax payment or a stock-up belongs in the heavy month. Raise monthly spending if you want the trough that bill would create.
What changes the result most
Cash at the start
Use a current amount for cash at the start. Include fees or recurring costs that belong in the same figure.
Busy months
Keep busy months on the same time basis as the other inputs. Monthly and annual values are easy to mix up.
Receipts in a busy month
Use a current amount for receipts in a busy month. Include fees or recurring costs that belong in the same figure.
Try a different scenario
Small changes show whether the answer is stable or sensitive.
Cash at the start: 25% lower
9,000-$24,000.00short at the low point
Cash at the start: 25% higher
15,000-$18,000.00short at the low point
Busy months: 25% higher
4 months-$8,000.00short at the low point
Common mistakes
Check cash at the start
SBA describes a cash-flow projection as money in and money out. The cash method records a sale when the payment arrives. This page uses the receipts and spending you type. Make sure this matches the number you enter.
Keep spending every month consistent
Busy months come first, then quiet months. A tax bill, a stock-up, or a busy season later in the year can move the trough. Use the same units and time period throughout the calculation.
Do not rely on one seasonal cash gap scenario
Run a cautious case and an optimistic case. The range is often more useful than one exact-looking number.
Use this result well
How low does cash fall when busy months are followed by quiet ones?
It does not replace a quote, contract, accountant, or local employment guidance.