Definition
Operating cash flow is cash generated (or consumed) by core business operations, including working capital movement (AR/AP/deferred revenue).
How to use it
- Operating cash flow can diverge from operating profit due to working capital.
- Improving collections and payment terms often improves operating cash flow quickly.
Why this matters
This term matters because cash timing and risk are usually the difference between a plan that works on paper and a plan that survives. Use consistent definitions so decisions are comparable over time.
Practical checklist
- Write a 1-line definition for "Operating Cash Flow" that your team will use consistently.
- Keep the time window consistent (weekly/monthly/quarterly) when comparing trends.
- Segment results (channel/plan/cohort) before drawing big conclusions from blended averages.
- Sanity-check with a related calculator from the same category on MetricKit.
- Read the related guide (e.g., Cash conversion cycle: turn working capital into runway) for context and common pitfalls.
Where to use this on MetricKit
Calculators
- Option Pool Shuffle Calculator: Estimate founder dilution impact when the option pool is increased to a target percent of post-money (simplified).
- SAFE Conversion Calculator: Estimate how a SAFE converts in a priced round using a valuation cap and/or discount (simplified).
- Convertible Note Conversion Calculator: Estimate how a convertible note converts in a priced round with interest plus a valuation cap and/or discount (simplified).
- Liquidation Preference Calculator (1x): Estimate investor proceeds at exit under a simple 1x non-participating liquidation preference vs converting to common (simplified).
- Multiple Valuation Calculator: Estimate enterprise value and equity value from a metric (ARR or revenue) and a valuation multiple (with net debt adjustments).
Guides
- Cash conversion cycle: turn working capital into runway: A practical guide to the cash conversion cycle (CCC): how AR/AP timing changes cash, how to reduce days outstanding, and why runway depends on working capital.
- Runway and burn: gross vs net burn, working capital, and cash levers: A practical guide to runway: compute net burn, understand why cash differs from profit, and how working capital and collections change runway.