CapEx Calculator

Use this CapEx Calculator to compute CapEx directly from cash flow data or derive it from PP&E and depreciation in seconds. See how your CapEx compares to revenue and decide whether your investment pace is too low, balanced, or stretching your capital.

By CalcMastery Editorial Team

CapEx Calculator (Capital Expenditures)

Compute capital expenditures (CapEx) either directly or by deriving from PP&E and Depreciation. Optionally evaluate CapEx intensity as a percentage of revenue and see what the result means.

Direct (enter CapEx)PP&E + Depreciation

Choose to enter CapEx directly or derive it from PP&E and D&A.

$

Total cash spent on property, plant & equipment and other long‑term assets this period.

$

Net property, plant & equipment at the start of the period.

$

Net property, plant & equipment at the end of the period.

$

Non‑cash D&A added back when deriving CapEx from the balance sheet.

Turn on if the company sold assets this period; proceeds reduce derived CapEx.

$

Cash received from selling long‑lived assets; subtracts from derived CapEx.

$

Provide revenue to compute CapEx as a percentage of sales.

Scenarios
Explore CapEx profiles: Asset‑light, Balanced maintenance, and Heavy reinvestment.
Asset‑Light SaaSBalanced MaintenanceManufacturing — Heavy ReinvestmentNet Asset Sales

Results

  • Capital Expenditures (CapEx)$
  • CapEx / Revenue— %
  • Investment Intensity—
  • Change in PP&E$
  • Depreciation & Amortization$
  • Asset Sale Proceeds$
  • Revenue$
  • Method Used—

Enter your inputs above to calculate the results.

What is Capital Expenditure (CapEx)?

Capital expenditure (CapEx) is the cash a company allocates to acquire, maintain, or upgrade long-term assets that support future operations.

It matters because it directly influences growth capacity, competitiveness, and long-term value creation; too little weakens the asset base, while too much can erode returns if the investments don’t generate sufficient cash flow.

Formula

CapEx = Ending PP&Enet-Beginning PP&Enet + Depreciation Expense
CapEx / Revenue = CapEx / Revenue × 100%

Example

Assume a company reports: Beginning PP&E (net) 1,000,000; Ending PP&E (net) 1,100,000; Depreciation 120,000; Revenue 2,000,000.

First compute CapEx:

CapEx = 1,100,000-1,000,000 + 120,000 = 220,000

Then compute intensity:

CapEx / Revenue = 220,000 / 2,000,000 × 100% = 11%

In this scenario, a CapEx intensity of 11% signals a high reinvestment level typical of expansion or capital-intensive industries.

How to Use the CapEx Calculator

Use this CapEx Calculator to calculate annual capital expenditures and CapEx intensity either by entering CapEx directly or by deriving it from PP&E and depreciation when CapEx isn’t reported separately.

Choose the calculation method

  • At the top, select Direct (enter CapEx) if you already know CapEx from the cash flow statement, or PP&E + Depreciation if you only have beginning/ending PP&E and depreciation.

Enter the required inputs

    • For Direct (enter CapEx), type the period’s CapEx amount and, if you want CapEx intensity, enter the same period’s Revenue (optional, for CapEx intensity).

- For PP&E + Depreciation, fill in Beginning PP&E (Net), Ending PP&E (Net), and the period’s Depreciation & Amortization (D&A). If you sold assets and want to reflect the gross investment, toggle Include asset sale proceeds on and enter the proceeds. Optionally add Revenue here as well.

Let the calculator compute CapEx and CapEx / Revenue

    • For the Direct method, the tool treats your input as:
CapEx = CapEx (Direct Input)

and, when revenue is provided:

CapEx / Revenue = CapEx / Revenue × 100%

- For PP&E + Depreciation, the tool uses:

CapEx = Ending PP&Enet − Beginning PP&Enet + D&A (+ Asset Sale Proceeds, if included)

and the same CapEx-to-revenue formula when revenue is entered.

Review the Results and “What It Means” section

  • Scroll to the Results panel to see the calculated Capital Expenditures (CapEx), CapEx / Revenue, Investment Intensity band, and supporting line items (such as Change in PP&E and Method Used). Then read the What It Means narrative for a short interpretation (e.g., balanced vs high reinvestment).

Compare scenarios or reset the calculator

  • Use the Scenarios dropdown to store and switch between different cases (e.g., base vs expansion plan) without retyping numbers. Click Reset to clear all fields and start over, and expand Show charts (optional) if you want a visual view of CapEx trends and intensity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the CapEx Calculator derive capital expenditures from PP&E and depreciation?

In the PP&E + Depreciation method, the calculator uses the standard balance-sheet formula:

CapEx = Ending PP&Enet − Beginning PP&Enet + Depreciation & Amortization

If you enable asset sale proceeds, those are added to show gross investment for the period.

When should I use the Direct method instead of the PP&E + Depreciation method?

Use Direct (enter CapEx) when the cash flow statement already reports CapEx as a single line – you just plug it in and optionally add revenue for the CapEx-to-revenue ratio. Use PP&E + Depreciation when CapEx isn’t disclosed separately, but you have beginning and ending net PP&E and the period’s depreciation.

What is a “good” CapEx-to-revenue percentage in this calculator?

There is no universal “good” level; it’s industry- and strategy-specific. As a rule of thumb, low-capital-intensity businesses often run in the low single digits of revenue, while asset-heavy or fast-growing companies can easily spend 10%–20% or more of revenue on CapEx. Use the Investment Intensity label as a quick signal, then compare your result with sector peers and your own history.

How can I use the CapEx result from this calculator in other analyses?

The CapEx output can feed directly into free cash flow (FCF) models, ROIC analysis, and valuation work. For example, in an FCFF model you typically subtract CapEx from operating cash flow, and in ROIC you compare post-tax operating profit to the capital base that CapEx is growing.

Sources & Methodology