Compute free cash flow from operating cash flow and capital spending.
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the Free Cash Flow Calculator?
Compute free cash flow from operating cash flow and capital spending. To use the Free Cash Flow Calculator, enter operating cash flow, capital expenditures, shares outstanding; it returns free cash flow, fcf per share, and shows them instantly as you type.
From revenue to cash flow
Work down the income statement: gross margin, operating margin, EBITDA and net margin. Then confirm profit is real cash with the free cash flow calculator and the accrual ratio.
Efficiency ratios show how fast money turns. The Cash Conversion Cycle Calculator combines DSO, DIO and DPO into one number of days.
- Costs. Marginal cost, average variable cost and the optimal price tools support pricing decisions.
- Elasticity. Price, cross-price and income elasticity show how demand reacts.
How to use the Free Cash Flow Calculator
- Fill in the fields. You will need Operating cash flow ($), Capital expenditures ($), Shares outstanding. Use numbers from the same accounting period so the ratios are comparable. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the Free cash flow, and the cards below show FCF per share. Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the Free Cash Flow Calculator using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Operating cash flow ($) | 1,400,000 |
|---|---|
| Capital expenditures ($) | 600,000 |
| Shares outstanding | 5,000,000 |
Results
| Free cash flow | $800,000.00 |
|---|---|
| FCF per share | $0.16 |
With these inputs the calculator returns Free cash flow: $800,000.00. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What if you change one input?
Sensitivity check: raising Operating cash flow ($) from 1,400,000 to 1,680,000 (about 20% higher) and leaving everything else as in the example above changes the results like this:
| Result | Example | After the change | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free cash flow | $800,000.00 | $1,080,000.00 | +35% |
| FCF per share | $0.16 | $0.22 | +35% |
The input that moves the result most is the one to check twice. Change it in the calculator above to test your own case.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the Free Cash Flow Calculator reports Free cash flow and fcf per share. Compare these figures while changing one input at a time, and use the related calculators below to look at the same situation from another angle.
Method and limits. This calculator applies the formula in the section above to your inputs, in your browser; nothing you enter is stored on our servers. The result is only as accurate as the numbers you enter and the formula shown above. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Why do investors like free cash flow?
It is the cash left to repay debt, pay dividends or reinvest.
What is the difference between EBIT and EBITDA?
EBITDA also adds back depreciation and amortization, so it approximates operating cash profit.
Which accounting standard do the formulas follow?
They use the common textbook definitions that apply under both US GAAP and IFRS unless a tool says otherwise.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the formulas shown on this page. Please do not make financial decisions based on them alone; confirm important figures with a licensed professional.
Related accounting & microeconomics calculators
- FCFF Calculator — Free Cash Flow to Firm
- Operating Cash Flow Calculator
- Unlevered Free Cash Flow Calculator
- Cash Flow to Debt Ratio Calculator
- Levered Free Cash Flow Calculator
- Actual Cash Value Calculator
- Net Operating Working Capital Calculator
- FCFE Calculator
- Cash Ratio Calculator
- Cash Conversion Cycle Calculator
- Accrual Ratio Calculator
- Net Operating Assets Calculator
All Accounting & Microeconomics calculators →