Enter your budgeted and actual numbers. See dollar variance and percentage variance instantly for every line item.
| Category | Budget | Actual | $ Variance | % Variance |
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This calculator gives you a snapshot. The Small Business Budget & Forecast Pack tracks budget vs actual for every month, every quarter, and the full year — with variance analysis, cash flow projection, and a P&L that builds from your actuals.
Budget variance is the difference between what you planned to spend (or earn) and what actually happened. It's the most fundamental tool in financial management because it tells you exactly where your business is on track and where it's drifting.
Dollar variance is simple: Actual minus Budget. Percentage variance gives you context: (Actual − Budget) ÷ Budget × 100. The dollar amount tells you the impact; the percentage tells you the severity.
For revenue, positive variance is favorable. For expenses, negative variance is favorable. A common mistake is treating all positive numbers as good.
Monthly is the minimum. Weekly is better for fast-moving businesses. A 5% budget overrun caught in week one costs you one week of overspending. Caught at month end, it costs four times as much.
Small variances (under 5%) are normal. Variances between 5-10% deserve investigation. Variances over 10% need immediate attention and potentially a budget revision.
Revenue variance is typically driven by volume, pricing, or timing. Expense variance usually comes from unexpected costs, vendor price increases, scope changes, or efficiency gains.