Know what is coming in
See when sales, customer payments and other cash are expected to reach your business.
Free business template
Cash Flow Forecast
Template
A profitable business can still run out of cash.
See the money coming in, the money going out, and the moments your business could get squeezed before they happen. Use this free Cash Flow Forecast Template to plan customer payments, stock purchases, supplier bills, salaries, rent, loan repayments and other upcoming expenses so you know what your business can actually afford.
Free to use. No sign up required.
Cash Flow Forecast
Your Business Name
| January | February | March | April | May | June | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening Cash Balance | 25,000 | 28,000 | 12,000 | -5,000 | 8,000 | 20,000 |
| Cash Inflows | ||||||
| Sales Receipts | 18,000 | 20,000 | 22,000 | 24,000 | 26,000 | 28,000 |
| Customer Payments | 5,000 | 7,000 | 8,000 | 6,000 | 7,000 | 8,000 |
| Other Cash In | 1,000 | 2,000 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Total Cash In | 24,000 | 29,000 | 31,000 | 32,000 | 34,000 | 37,000 |
| Cash Outflows | ||||||
| Suppliers | 10,000 | 13,000 | 14,000 | 16,000 | 14,000 | 15,000 |
| Rent | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| Salaries | 8,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| Marketing | 2,000 | 2,500 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| Loan Repayments | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Total Cash Out | 25,000 | 27,500 | 31,000 | 33,000 | 30,500 | 31,500 |
| Net Cash Flow | -1,000 | 1,500 | 0 | -1,000 | 3,500 | 5,500 |
| Closing Cash Balance | 24,000 | 29,500 | 29,500 | 28,500 | 32,000 | 37,500 |
Know what has to go out
Plan stock, suppliers, salaries, rent, loans and other upcoming payments.
See what will be left
Know your expected cash balance after the money coming in and going out is counted.
Catch cash gaps before they hurt
Spot the weeks or months where your business could run short before the bills arrive.
Spend with more confidence
Know whether you can afford the purchase now, need to wait or should protect the cash instead.
Everything you need to see your cash position before the money moves.
The template brings your expected cash in and cash out into one place, so you can see what your business may have available before it is already spent.
Opening cash balance
Other cash outflows
Sales and customer payments
Net cash flow
Other cash inflows
Closing cash balance
Stock and supplier payments
Monthly forecast
Operating expenses
Automatic formulas
Loan repayments
Example entries to help you get started
Choose one format that works for you.
Google SheetsUse it online
Work in your browser, access the template from different devices and share it with someone else if you need to.
We’ll add the live Google Sheets link when it is shared.Microsoft ExcelDownload the spreadsheet
Prefer working from your computer? Download the Excel version and use it offline.
We’ll add the Excel file when it is shared.How to use your Cash Flow Forecast Template
You do not need perfect numbers. You need a realistic view of what is likely to happen next.
Start with the cash you already have
Enter the money your business can actually use today, including your bank balance, M-Pesa balance and other cash accounts.
| Opening Cash Balance | January |
|---|---|
| Bank Account | 20,000 |
| M-Pesa | 5,000 |
Add the money you expect to receive
Enter when customer payments and other cash are likely to arrive.
| Cash Inflows | January |
|---|---|
| Sales Receipts | 18,000 |
| Customer Payments | 5,000 |
| Other Cash In | 1,000 |
| Total Cash In | 24,000 |
Record the money when you expect to receive it, not simply when you make the sale.
Add every payment coming up
Enter stock purchases, suppliers, salaries, rent, marketing, loans, tax and any other money expected to leave the business.
| Cash Outflows | January |
|---|---|
| Suppliers | 10,000 |
| Rent | 3,000 |
| Salaries | 10,000 |
| Total Cash Out | 23,000 |
Use the date you expect the money to actually leave.
Look ahead before you spend
The template calculates what should be left after everything is paid. If a future balance turns negative, you have time to change the plan before you hit the problem.
| Summary | January |
|---|---|
| Total Cash In | 24,000 |
| Total Cash Out | 25,000 |
| Net Cash Flow | -1,000 |
| Closing Cash Balance | 24,000 |
Profit can look healthy while your cash is disappearing.
What is a Cash Flow Forecast?
A cash flow forecast estimates when money will enter and leave your business over a future period.
Will the money actually be there when I need it?
A business can make a profit and still struggle to pay suppliers, salaries, rent or stock because profit and cash do not move at the same time. You might make a sale today but get paid next month. Your supplier may need payment this Friday. Both can be true at once. That timing difference is where cash flow problems begin.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Cash Flow Forecast Template free?
Yes. The template is free to use. You can use the Google Sheets version online or download the Excel version. No sign up is required.
What is the difference between cash flow and profit?
Profit shows whether your revenue is greater than your expenses over a period. Cash flow shows when money actually enters and leaves your business. A business can be profitable and still run short of cash if payments arrive after bills are due.
What should I include in a cash flow forecast?
Include the cash you already have, customer payments you expect to receive, other cash coming in and every expected payment going out, including stock, suppliers, salaries, rent, loans, tax and operating expenses.
What happens if my forecast shows negative cash?
A negative forecast is an early warning. It means your expected cash going out is greater than the cash you expect to have available during that period. You can then look at delaying spending, collecting payments faster, reducing costs, changing purchase timing or arranging funding before the shortage happens.
How far ahead should I forecast?
Three to twelve months is useful for most businesses. Businesses with tight cash flow may also want to review the next four to thirteen weeks in more detail.
How often should I update it?
Update your forecast whenever something important changes. At minimum, review it once a month. If cash is tight or your business moves quickly, weekly updates are much more useful.