Freelance Runway Calculator
How long can you go without new clients? Enter your savings and monthly costs to find out — essential-only vs full spend.
Liquid savings you could actually spend
$
Rent, food, insurance, utilities — non-negotiable
$
Dining out, subscriptions, gym — could be cut
$
⚠️ Estimates only. Tax rates updated for 2026. Consult a CPA for advice specific to your situation.
Essential-Only Runway
8 months
$30,000 ÷ $3,500/mo
Full-Spend Runway
6 months
$30,000 ÷ $5,000/mo
0 months6 months12 months
Adequate — 12 months is the freelancer target.
Freelancer rule of thumb: Aim for 6–12 months of essential-only runway before going full-time. Variable income means gaps happen — plan for them.
Your total monthly spend: $5,000/mo. Your monthly essentials: $3,500/mo (70% of spend).