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How do you calculate liquidity ratios? Definition and tips

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Updated on: June 19, 2025
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Understanding how you calculate liquidity ratios is key to assessing the financial stability of your business. It helps you determine whether your company can meet its short-term financial commitments. Especially if you handle a high volume of customers or rely heavily on timely payments, maintaining a strong liquidity position is vital.

Table of contents

  1. What is liquidity?
  2. Why calculate liquidity?
  3. How do you calculate liquidity ratios?
  4. 7 tips to improve liquidity
  5. How Payt helps with liquidity
  6. Frequently asked questions about liquidity

What is liquidity?

The definition of liquidity ratio is the extent to which your business can settle its short-term liabilities. This includes paying suppliers, wages, or taxes. Liquidity gives you clear insight into whether your available funds can cover your bills on time.

Why calculate liquidity?

Learning how to calculate liquidity ratios allows you to anticipate financial difficulties. It gives you a solid grasp of your liquidity position, enabling timely actions such as speeding up collections or reducing costs. It also supports smarter decisions related to growth, investment, or financing.

How do you calculate liquidity ratios?

There are two widely-used liquidity ratio formulas:

Current ratio = (current assets + cash equivalents) / short-term liabilities
Quick ratio = (current assets – inventories + cash equivalents) / short-term liabilities

The current ratio includes stock value, while the quick ratio excludes it. This matters if your inventory isn’t easily converted into cash.

What is a good liquidity ratio?

A current ratio between 1.5 and 2 is usually considered healthy. For the quick ratio, a value of 1 or above is good. These figures suggest your business can meet its obligations, even without factoring in inventory. The ideal benchmark varies by industry.

7 tips to improve liquidity

  1. Set clear payment terms
  2. Send invoices right after delivery
  3. Use automated payment reminders
  4. Check creditworthiness of new customers
  5. Monitor accounts receivable closely
  6. Offer payment plans
  7. Automate processes with software

How Payt helps with liquidity

Payt equips you with everything you need to take control of your liquidity. Our software supports you by:

  • Automating reminders and payment follow-ups
  • Providing real-time insights into payment behaviour and liquidity KPIs
  • Offering a client portal for smooth payments and communication
  • Saving up to 80% on administrative work
  • Helping you get paid 30–40% faster
  • Delivering ISO 27001-certified data security

Curious to know what Payt can do for you? Download our brochure below.

Frequently asked questions about liquidity

Liquidity concerns your ability to cover short-term commitments. Solvency looks at the ratio between equity and total assets, indicating long-term financial strength.

Cash flow reflects the actual movement of money in and out of your business. Liquidity is a snapshot of how much money is available at any given time.

Negative liquidity means you don’t have enough resources to cover short-term debts. If left unresolved, this may result in payment issues or insolvency.

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By Aida Kopijn

Aida is an accounts receivable management expert at Payt, known for her precision and organisational passion. She ensures every process is perfectly managed and optimised.

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