---
title: "Budget Variance Calculator: Over or Under Budget, in % and $"
description: "Enter budgeted and actual amounts to see the variance in dollars and percent, and whether it's favorable or unfavorable. Free and instant."
url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/bookkeeping/budget-variance-calculator"
---

Free tool

# Budget variance calculator

## Overview

Compare what you planned with what happened, for a revenue or an expense line.

[![Intuit ProAdvisor Gold tier badge](/img/credentials/intuit-proadvisor-gold.png)](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)Gold tier in Intuit's ProAdvisor program. [See my Intuit listing](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)

Keeping your own books? Tallyfinch does invoices, bank import and reports on your computer. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software)

Line type

Budgeted amount ($)

Actual amount ($)

Excel workbook · $24

### Budget vs Actual Workbook

Set a budget for each income and expense line, enter your actuals as the months close, and see what is over, what is under and where the year is heading.

[See what is inside ($24)](/toolkits/budget-vs-actual-workbook) [Free sample](/toolkits/budget-vs-actual-workbook#free-starter)14-day full refund

Share

## Put this tool on your own site

Free to use. Paste this where you want it to appear. It runs in the visitor's browser, so nothing they enter is sent to us.

[See every calculator you can embed](/embed)

How it works

## How it works

**Variance = actual minus budget.** For revenue, above budget is favorable. For an expense, below budget is favorable. The percent is the variance divided by the budget.

Want a second pair of eyes on your books? [A free bookkeeping health check](/bookkeeping/health-check).

FAQ

## About this calculator

**What is a budget variance?**

The difference between what you planned to earn or spend and what you actually did.

**Is a variance always bad?**

No. A favorable variance can come from selling more or spending less, but check the cause, such as delayed spending that comes due next month.

**How often should I review variances?**

Monthly is common for small businesses, so you can adjust before the year ends.

**Is anything saved?**

No. The math runs in your browser and nothing you enter is sent to us.

**Is this tax or financial advice?**

No. It is a calculator for general information. Check the numbers against your own records, and ask an accountant before you act on them.

Read the guide: [Zero-Based Budgeting: Give Every Dollar a Job](/tools/guides/zero-based-budgeting-explained). Related: [cash flow and burn rate calculator](/bookkeeping/cash-flow-and-burn-rate-calculator), [operating margin calculator](/bookkeeping/operating-margin-calculator). See [all free tools](/free-tools). More free tools: [Simple interest calculator](/bookkeeping/simple-interest-calculator), [Time card calculator](/bookkeeping/time-card-calculator), [Cash conversion cycle calculator](/bookkeeping/cash-conversion-cycle-calculator), or [see all free tools](/free-tools).

Free

### Month-End Close Checklist (PDF)

The five-day close, one page to print. Enter your email and we send a link to confirm it is yours, then the download. We may email you about new toolkits, and every email has an unsubscribe link.

General information, not tax or legal advice. [How we write and check our tools](/editorial-standards).

Excel workbook

### Budget vs Actual Workbook

Set a budget for each income and expense line, enter your actuals as the months close, and see what is over, what is under and where the year is heading.

[See what is inside ($24)](/toolkits/budget-vs-actual-workbook) [Try the free starter](/toolkits/budget-vs-actual-workbook#free-starter)

Also in the [Business Planning Bundle](/toolkits/business-planning-bundle): 4 products for $79 instead of $106 separately.

Tallyfinch

### Books you keep on your own computer

Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries.

[See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) [Download it free](/tools/pro/trial/mccBooks) [Compare the three apps](/software)

## Want your books and numbers handled?

[Free health check](/bookkeeping/health-check)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)