How Long Is Your Cash Tied Up?
Results
Visualization
How It Works
CCC = DIO + DSO - DPO. DIO = average inventory / COGS x 365; DSO = receivables / revenue x 365; DPO = payables / COGS x 365. A shorter CCC means you convert spend into collected cash faster, freeing cash without new debt. This is standard working-capital management.
What Should You Do?
Scenario 1: collecting invoices 10 days sooner cuts CCC to 40 and frees ~$27k per $1M COGS. Scenario 2: negotiating 10 more days of supplier terms drops CCC to 40 too. Scenario 3: a negative CCC (payables exceed inventory+receivables) is the retailer's dream — you sell before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good CCC?
Lower is better, but it is sector-driven — grocery is near zero, manufacturing can be 100+ days. Improve it, don't chase a universal target.
How do I shorten it?
Faster collections, tighter inventory, and longer (fair) supplier terms. Our AR Turnover tool digs into receivables.
Why does DPO subtract?
Payables are interest-free financing — the longer you legitimately hold cash, the less you need to borrow.
Authoritative References
- Investopedia — Cash Conversion Cycle — CCC formula and components.
- Corporate Finance Institute — CCC — Working-capital cycle analysis.