How-To9 min read
How to Calculate Your Freelance Runway (Without a Spreadsheet)
A practical, step-by-step guide to calculating freelance runway by hand, including downside runway, taxes, and client concentration.
Read guideHow long until you run out of money?
A 2-minute calculator for freelancers, consultants and indie founders. See your real runway, your worst-case month, and a Safe-to-Go score before you quit your job.
Open Calculator
FreeNo signup2 min setup
From the research behind our methodology:
- → 70% of freelancers overestimate their runway by 30-50%
- → The #1 missed factor: effective tax rate on variable income
- → Income concentration matters more than absolute income
Why standard calculators fall short
Average income hides downside risk
One bad month can matter more than one great month
Personal and business cash are more connected than you think
What you get
Runway Scenarios
Base, downside, and upside runway projections based on your actual income patterns
Risk Assessment
Instant risk status — Stable, Caution, or Fragile — based on your financial profile
Full-Time Readiness Score
A 0-100 score telling you how safe it is to go fully independent right now
Action Recommendations
Concrete next steps based on your biggest financial risks and gaps
Pro
Benchmark Comparison
See how your runway compares to other freelancers and solo founders, with percentile ranking
Pro
History Tracking
Save every calculation and track how your runway and score improve over time
Pro
PDF Export
Download a professional report to share with a partner, advisor, or keep for your records
Shareable Results
Generate an anonymous share card image with your score and metrics — no personal data exposed
Why trust this tool
Your financial data is sensitive. Here's why it's safe here.
Your data never leaves
All calculations run entirely in your browser. Your financial data is never sent to any server — zero.
No Accounts
No signup, no email, no tracking cookies. Just open and calculate.
Open Methodology
Every formula is documented. See exactly how your score is calculated. Read more →
Verify Yourself
Fully verifiable in your browser. The only network calls are for license activation — your financial data is never transmitted.
Built for independent earners
FreelancerEarning from clients and projects
ConsultantBilling for expertise and advice
Indie HackerBuilding products on the side
Solo FounderRunning your own business solo
From the Blog
Research and guides for the math behind going independent
Practical reads on freelance runway, financial readiness, taxes, and the mistakes that make solo-business math look safer than it is.
Methodology12 min read
Safe-to-Go Score: A 4-Dimension Framework for Freelance Financial Readiness
A methodology deep dive into the four dimensions behind freelance financial readiness, with research context from Upwork and Payoneer.
Read guideAnalysis8 min read
Why Your Freelance Runway Is Probably Half What You Think
The three biggest runway mistakes freelancers make: relying on averages, ignoring taxes, and underestimating client concentration risk.
Read guideFrequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about the Indie Runway.
Your financial data stays entirely in your browser’s local storage — no server ever sees your numbers. The only network request this tool makes is when you activate or restore a Pro license (to verify your purchase), which happens completely separate from your financial inputs.
Your saved inputs and calculation history will be removed. If you’ve purchased a Pro license, you’ll need to re-enter your license key to restore paid features. We recommend saving your license key somewhere safe.
The calculator uses conservative financial modeling with 3 scenarios (base, downside, upside). It factors in taxes, variable costs, income concentration risk, and seasonality. However, it’s an estimate — real outcomes depend on factors no model can fully predict. Use it as a planning tool, not financial advice.
Pro unlocks: 4-dimension score breakdown, risk driver analysis, What-If scenario sliders (lose a client, spike costs, cut spending), full 3-line projection chart, all prioritized action recommendations, benchmark comparison, history tracking, PDF export, and advanced input fields. Launch price is $15 (one-time). Regular price is $19.
Yes. Your license key works on up to 3 devices. Click “Upgrade” in the header, then “Restore License” on any new device to enter your existing key. Your input data won’t transfer between devices (it’s stored locally), but you can re-enter it in under 2 minutes.
No. It’s a one-time payment. No subscription, no recurring charges. The current launch price is $15 (regular price will be $19). Try the free version first, upgrade when you want the full analysis.
This tool is designed for freelancers, consultants, indie hackers, and solo founders who earn variable income. It works for both service-based (billing clients) and product-based (SaaS, digital products) income models. It’s not designed for salaried employees or large teams.
The 0–100 score is a weighted composite of four dimensions: Runway Coverage (35%), Income Stability (25%), Income Diversification (20%), and Cash Buffer Adequacy (20%). Each dimension has its own formula explained on our Methodology page.
Start with the free calculator
No signup required. See your runway in under 2 minutes.
Calculate Your Runway →