Current Ratio

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Measuring liquidity. Explanation of Current Ratio.

The Current Ratio (CUR) method is a model for measuring the liquidity of a company. It is calculated by dividing all current assets by all current liabilities. It is an indicator of a company's ability to pay short-term obligations.
Current Ratio Calculation Liquidity

Current Ratio formula

For the Current Ratio formula, see the picture on the right.

This ratio is also known as the working capital ratio and real ratio and is the standard measurement of a business' financial health. It will tell us whether a company is able to pay its current obligations by measuring if it has enough assets to cover its liabilities.

Example of Current Ratio calculation

For example, if a corporation has M$50 in current assets to cover M$50 in current liabilities, this means that it has a Current Ratio of 1.

What is an acceptable Current Ratio?

This varies by industry. Generally speaking, the more liquid the current assets, the smaller the CUR can be without cause for concern. For most industrial companies, 1.5 is an acceptable CUR. A standard CUR for a healthy business is close to two. This means the company has twice as many assets as liabilities.

A thing to remember when using the CUR is that it ignores timing of both cash received and cash paid out.

Take the example of a company with no bills due today, but lots of bills that are due tomorrow. The company also owns a lot of inventory (as part of its current assets). However the inventory will only be sold in the longer term. This company may show a good Current Ratio, but can not be considered as having a good liquidity.

Book: Steven M. Bragg - Business Ratios and Formulas : A Comprehensive Guide -

Book: Ciaran Walsh - Key Management Ratios -

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Recent User Comments

    			 
             Khanjan - India
  	       
  		     Working Capital Management
  	  		 "How do you understand the working capital management?"
  			   
    	  		 0

    			 
  			   Mukul - India
  	       
  		     Question
  	  		 "A firm’s current assets and current liabilities are 600 and 1500 respectively.  How much it can borrow from bank without reducing the current ratio below 1.5?"
  			   
    	  		 0

    			 
  			   Mahalakshmi C - India
  	       
  		     Current Ratio Expansion?
  	  		 "There is supposed to be some Expansion for CUR. Who can explain?"
  			   
    	  		 1

    			 
  			   Tabea Seema - UK
  	       
  		     Current Ratio Example
  	  		 "If fixed assets is 1600, stock is 300, debtors is 500 and bank is 200, current liabilities creditors 300, tax 100, dividend 100, what is the current ratio?"
  			   
    	  		 0

    			 
  			   Mike - Australia
  	       
  		     Current Ratio Question
  	  		 "Assume a company is a 100% cash business. Pays it creditors 30 days has a minimal trading inventory that turns over 1.5 x per week. Would a lessor ratio than 1 to 1 be acceptable?"
  			   
    	  		 0

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                      └► Editor (NL)
                      
                    Working Capital Management
                    "See our business dictionary..."

                     
                      └► Alpin McGregor (UK)
                      
                    Current Ratio - reply to mukal India
                    "I assume data is expressed the wrong way round - current assets are 1500 and current liabilities are 600. Current ratio is therefore 2.5 : 1.

How much can one borrow before the current ratio falls below 1.5 : 1? Answer 1200 so current assets 1500 + 1200 =  2700 and current liabilities 600 + 1200 = 1800 giving current ratio of 1.5 : 1.

This answer assumes that bank borrowing is all repayable within the next 12 months. If bank borrowing is repayable in a time period of more than 12 months then the current ratio will rise with each amount of borrowing. One must remember the assumption that these answers are based on. They assume that all other variables stay constant. This patently is not true."