How to calculate liquidity ratio
There are two commonly used liquidity ratios:
Current ratio = (current assets + cash equivalents) / short-term liabilities
Quick ratio = (current assets – inventories + cash equivalents) / short-term liabilities
The current ratio includes inventory in its calculation, while the quick ratio excludes it. This matters because inventory may not easily convert to cash.
What is a good liquidity ratio?
A current ratio between 1.5 and 2 is typically seen as healthy. A quick ratio of 1 or above is also considered good. These figures indicate you have enough liquidity to meet your obligations—even without including inventory. The ideal benchmark varies by industry.