Startup Burn Rate Formula: How to Calculate It in Excel (With Template)

Burn rate is the single number that tells you how long your startup can survive. This guide walks through the gross and net burn formulas, shows you how to build a dynamic burn rate model in Excel with real cell references, and flags the mistakes that make most spreadsheet models dangerously optimistic.

March 19, 2026 · 8 min · KDesk Accounting