# What is Runway? Definition & Technical Mechanics

> **Source:** [SPIDITS AI Startup & Venture Intelligence Glossary](https://spidits.com/startup-glossary)  
> **Category:** Metrics  
> **Canonical Citation:** [https://spidits.com/startup-glossary/runway](https://spidits.com/startup-glossary/runway)

## Definition
Runway is the amount of time a startup can continue to operate before running out of cash, assuming no new revenue is generated.

## Architectural Mechanics & Deep Dive
Runway is the amount of time a startup can continue to operate before running out of cash, assuming no new revenue is generated and expenses remain constant. It is calculated by dividing the company's current cash balance by its monthly net burn rate (Runway = Cash / Net Burn). Maintaining a healthy runway (ideally 18 to 24 months after a funding round) is crucial for giving the team enough time to build, scale, and launch a fundraising campaign without running out of cash.

## Industry Applications & Real-World Use Cases
Cash flow forecasting and operational planning

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How is runway calculated?
Runway = Current Cash Balance / Monthly Net Burn Rate.

### What is the difference between Gross Burn Rate and Net Burn Rate?
Gross Burn Rate represents total monthly operating expenses (salaries, hosting, office, tooling), whereas Net Burn Rate subtracts monthly revenue from gross burn (Net Burn = Gross Expenses - Monthly Revenue).

### What is a healthy runway for a startup?
Ideally, 18 to 24 months of runway after a major funding round, giving the team 12-18 months of focus and 6 months to raise the next round.

## Related Terminology
- [burn-rate](https://spidits.com/startup-glossary/burn-rate)
- [bootstrapping](https://spidits.com/startup-glossary/bootstrapping)
- [unit-economics](https://spidits.com/startup-glossary/unit-economics)

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*From the SPIDITS AI Knowledge Base (300+ terms indexed). Explore full technical definitions: [https://spidits.com/startup-glossary](https://spidits.com/startup-glossary)*