25 Difference between Current Ratio and Quick Ratio (With Table)

What is the main difference between current ratio and quick ratio? Current ratio measures the ability of the business to pay its short term liabilities using short term assets. Quick ratio measures the ability of the firm to pay its short-term liabilities using the most liquid assets.

The financial health and performance of a company are assessed using different ratios. Current and quick ratios are ideal when it comes to financial analysis. These ratios differ in terms of the assets considered and their level of inclusiveness.

This article explores the differences between quick and current ratio using their calculation, interpretation, and significance. We recommend reading this post from the start to the end and be sure to share with your friends.

Difference between Current Ratio and Quick Ratio with Table

Basic Terms	Current Ratio	Quick Ratio
Definition	Measures a company’s short-term liquidity by comparing current assets to current liabilities.	Measures a company’s ability to pay its short-term liabilities using only its most liquid assets.
Formula	Current Assets / Current Liabilities	(Current Assets – Inventory) / Current Liabilities
Components	Includes all current assets (cash, accounts receivable, inventory, etc.).	Excludes inventory from current assets (non-cash current assets).
Focus	Provides a broader view of liquidity, including inventory.	Focuses on the most liquid assets, excluding less liquid assets.
Liquidity	Less strict measure of liquidity	More stringent measure of liquidity
Inventory	Includes the value of inventory in the calculation.	Excludes the value of inventory from the calculation.
Applicability	Suitable for a wide range of businesses and industries.	More useful for companies with inventory-heavy operations.
Conservative Measure	Less conservative measure of liquidity.	More conservative measure of liquidity.
Time Horizon	Reflects short-term liquidity but with a broader focus.	Also reflects short-term liquidity, with a focus on immediate liquidity.
Inventory Management	Doesn’t emphasize inventory management.	Encourages efficient inventory management.
Ideal Ratio Value	Generally, a current ratio above 1 is acceptable.	A quick ratio above 1 is considered healthy.
Coverage of Liabilities	Covers all current liabilities.	Covers all current liabilities.
Cash Inclusion	Includes cash, which might not be immediately available.	Includes cash, which is the most liquid asset.
Receivables	Includes accounts receivable, which may not be quickly convertible to cash.	Includes accounts receivable, but emphasizes more liquid aspects of receivables.
Investments	Includes investments in marketable securities as current assets.	Generally, excludes investments in marketable securities.
Prepaid Expenses	Includes prepaid expenses as current assets.	Includes prepaid expenses as current assets.
Realizability	May include less liquid assets that are not easily converted into cash.	Focuses on highly liquid assets that can be quickly converted into cash.
Focus on Solvency	Doesn’t provide a strong emphasis on solvency.	Provides a stronger emphasis on solvency.
Ideal Industry	Applicable to a wide range of industries, especially retail.	More applicable to industries with high inventory turnover.
Dynamic Measure	Can change rapidly based on changes in inventory and receivables.	Typically changes less rapidly as it excludes certain assets.
Analytical Depth	Less precise measure of liquidity for decision-making.	Provides a more precise assessment of immediate liquidity.
Short-Term Focus	Focuses on the overall short-term financial health.	Concentrates on immediate short- term financial health.
Long-Term Prospects	Doesn’t offer insights into long-term financial prospects.	Primarily reflects short-term liquidity; limited for long-term analysis.
Common Use	Commonly used for general financial analysis.	Commonly used for specific liquidity analysis or by creditors.
Working Capital	Incorporates working capital within its scope.	Excludes working capital, which is part of current assets.

What Is Current Ratio?

The Current Ratio is a financial metric used by businesses to assess their short-term financial health and ability to meet their immediate obligations. It measures the company’s liquidity, which is its capacity to cover short-term debts and other financial obligations using its current assets.

The formula for calculating the Current Ratio is quite simple:

Current Ratio = Current Assets/Current Liabilities

Now, let’s explain this in plain business terms:

Current Assets: These are the company’s assets that are expected to be turned into cash or used up within the next 12 months. Common examples include cash, accounts receivable (money owed by customers), and inventory (products ready for sale).

Current Liabilities: These are the company’s debts and obligations that are due within the next 12 months. It includes items like accounts payable (money owed to suppliers), short-term loans, and upcoming rent or utility payments.

Now, think of the Current Ratio as a tool to determine if your business has enough “readily available” assets to cover its “immediate” bills. Here’s how it works:

Calculating the Ratio: You take all your current assets, like cash, what customers owe you, and your inventory, and add them up. Then, you divide this total by all your current liabilities, which are the debts and bills that you need to pay soon.

Interpreting the Ratio: The result of this calculation is your Current Ratio. It’s expressed as a number, and the higher the number, the better. Generally, a Current Ratio above 1.0 is considered healthy. It means that you have enough current assets to pay off your current debts.

If your Current Ratio is 1.0 or higher, you can comfortably pay your short-term bills.
If it’s less than 1.0, it indicates that your current liabilities might outweigh your current assets, which could be a sign of financial risk. In this case, you may have trouble meeting your short-term obligations.

What Is Quick Ratio?

The Quick Ratio also called Acid-Test Ratio. It is a financial metric used by businesses to assess their immediate liquidity and ability to meet short-term financial obligations without relying on the sale of inventory.

It provides a more stringent measure of a company’s short-term financial health compared to the Current Ratio. The formula for calculating the Quick Ratio is as follows:

Quick Ratio = Current Assets-Inventory/Current Liabilities

Now, let’s explain this in plain business terms:

Current Assets: These are assets that are expected to be turned into cash or used up within the next 12 months. Common examples include cash, accounts receivable (money owed by customers), and marketable securities.

Inventory: This is the value of the products you have in stock, ready to sell. It’s an important part of your current assets, but it’s not as easily convertible to cash as items like accounts receivable.

Current Liabilities: These are debts and obligations that are due within the next 12 months. It includes items like accounts payable (money owed to suppliers), short-term loans, and upcoming rent or utility payments.

Now, think of the Quick Ratio as a tool to determine if your business can pay off its short-term bills without relying on selling inventory. Here’s how it works:

Calculating the Ratio: You take your current assets (cash, accounts receivable, marketable securities) and subtract the value of your inventory. Then, you divide this result by your current liabilities, which are the debts and bills that you need to pay soon.

Interpreting the Ratio: The result of this calculation is your Quick Ratio (Acid-Test Ratio). Like the Current Ratio, it’s expressed as a number, and the higher the number, the better. Typically, a Quick Ratio above 1.0 is considered healthy.

If your Quick Ratio is 1.0 or higher, it indicates that you can pay off your short-term obligations without relying on selling inventory.
If it’s less than 1.0, it suggests that your current liabilities might outweigh your highly liquid current assets (excluding inventory), which could be a sign of financial risk.

Main Difference between Current Ratio and Quick Ratio

The Current Ratio assesses a company’s ability to handle short-term debts, while the Quick Ratio takes a more conservative approach by checking if the company can meet immediate financial obligations without counting inventory and prepayments.
While the Current Ratio looks at short-term debt, the Quick Ratio focuses on urgent cash needs.
Ideally, a Current Ratio of 2:1 and a Quick Ratio of 1:1 are considered favorable, but these benchmarks can vary based on the business type, nature of assets, and industry.
The Current Ratio shows how well a company can generate funds for short-term commitments, while the Quick Ratio indicates the company’s immediate debt-paying capability.

Similarities between Current Ratio and Quick Ratio

Both ratios primarily assess short-term financial health.
Both are commonly used in financial analysis and reporting.
They help gauge a company’s financial stability in the near future.
They are calculated using values from the company’s balance sheet.
Both incorporate current assets and current liabilities in their formulas.
Ratios above 1.0 are generally considered favorable for both metrics.
Both are financial metrics used to evaluate a company’s liquidity and ability to meet short-term obligations.

Conclusion

The Current Ratio and Quick Ratio serve similar purposes by measuring a company’s ability to pay its short-term bills. However, they differ in what they include. The Current Ratio considers all current assets, including inventory, providing a broader view of liquidity.

The Quick Ratio, on the other hand, excludes inventory and focuses on the most liquid assets like cash and accounts receivable. It’s a more conservative measure of liquidity. The Quick Ratio is stricter, emphasizing assets that can be quickly turned into cash, making it a more precise indicator for immediate liquidity.

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