Dropshipping Cash Flow Calculator
The gap between paying for ads and being paid.
Working capital needed
$2,968
to fund a 7-day payout gap
The gap between paying for ads and being paid for the orders is what kills profitable dropshipping businesses. Scaling makes it worse — doubling daily spend doubles the float, and the extra revenue arrives 7 days after the extra cost. A rolling reserve on top compounds it.
How the Dropshipping Cash Flow Calculator works
The gap between paying for ads and being paid for the orders is what kills profitable dropshipping businesses. Scaling makes it worse — doubling daily spend doubles the float, and the extra revenue arrives days after the extra cost.
Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price — check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.
Frequently asked questions
Why do profitable dropshipping stores run out of money?
Because ad spend is charged daily and processor payouts arrive on a delay. A store growing fast is always funding tomorrow's orders with money it will not receive until next week.
What is a rolling reserve?
A percentage of your revenue the processor holds back against future refunds, released after a period. High-risk merchant categories including dropshipping frequently attract one, and it compounds the payout gap.
How do I reduce the gap?
Faster payout terms, a credit facility on the advertising account, and suppliers who invoice rather than charge on order. Each shortens the float independently.
How much working capital do I need to scale?
Roughly your daily costs times the payout delay, plus any reserve. Tripling spend triples that requirement, which is why stores stall at exactly the point they start working.