What is a cash conversion cycle (CCC)?

CCC measures the number of days it takes to convert inventory and receivables into cash, net of supplier payment timing.

How do I calculate DIO, DSO, and DPO?

DIO = (Average Inventory / COGS) × Days. DSO = (Average AR / Revenue) × Days. DPO = (Average AP / COGS) × Days.

Is a lower CCC always better?

Shorter cycles are usually healthier, but pushing DPO too far can harm supplier relationships. Use CCC trends and context.

What is a negative CCC?

A negative CCC means you collect cash before paying suppliers. It can be a strong working capital position but may not be sustainable in every industry.

Which period should I use?

Use the same period for all inputs (365, 360, or 90 days). Consistency is more important than the exact convention.

Are the benchmarks precise?

No. Benchmarks are directional ranges and vary by business model. Replace them with your own historical data when possible.

Working Capital Tool

Cash Conversion Cycle Calculator

Measure how fast your business turns inventory and receivables into cash. Calculate DIO, DSO, DPO, operating cycle, and CCC with benchmarks and what-if scenarios.

Use calculator See features

Inputs

Use the same period across all inputs to keep the results consistent.

Period length

Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO)

Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)

Days Payable Outstanding (DPO)

Use direct days if you already track DIO/DSO/DPO.

Results

CCC is shown in days with operating cycle and component details.

Cash Conversion Cycle (CCC)

Healthy

55 days

Time between cash out for inventory and cash in from customers.

Operating cycle (DIO + DSO)

75 days

Days to sell inventory and collect receivables.

DIO

45 days

DSO

30 days

DPO

20 days

Benchmark range

Select a benchmark to compare your CCC.

Formula: CCC = DIO + DSO - DPO

What-if simulator

Adjust DIO/DSO/DPO to see how the CCC changes.

Change in DIO (days)

Change in DSO (days)

Change in DPO (days)

Revenue (optional, for cash impact)

COGS (optional, for cash impact)

New CCC

55 days

CCC delta

0 days

New operating cycle

75 days

Estimated cash impact

Estimated additional cash tied: 0 $US

Estimate uses revenue/day and COGS/day. Treat as directional.

AI insights (optional)

Get a short action plan based on your CCC inputs.

Example

A quick sanity-check scenario using direct days.

Inputs

DIO: 45 days
DSO: 30 days
DPO: 20 days

Outputs

Operating cycle: 75 days
CCC: 55 days
Interpretation: moderate cycle length

Why this CCC calculator helps

Two input modes

Use direct days or derive DIO, DSO, and DPO from financials.

Benchmarks & interpretation

See how your CCC compares to typical industry ranges.

What-if simulator

Test changes to DIO, DSO, and DPO and see the impact instantly.

Shareable summary

Copy a clean summary for internal reporting and reviews.

How it works

Pick a mode

Direct days for quick checks or financial inputs for accuracy.

Enter inputs

Provide DIO/DSO/DPO or average balances, revenue, and COGS.

Interpret results

Review CCC, benchmark position, and improvement ideas.

FAQ

Ready to improve your cash cycle?

Run a few scenarios and identify the biggest lever to pull first.

Start calculating

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