# AI model spend chart

> Show spend against the budget, and where the month lands.

**Short answer.** Show spend to date as a building area split by model, the budget as a line and a forecast to the end of the month. To explain the forecast, add a waterfall from spend to date to the budget.

Updated Nov 2, 2026 · AI sample data

## 101 · Budget runway widget: Budget runway (Q3 2026)

MODEL SPEND TO DATE: **$10.2K USD** · $19.6K FORECAST · BUDGET $20K

1. **Spend to date in the hero** Model spend so far this month, with the forecast and the budget beside it.
2. **Spend by model** The building area split into the biggest models and the rest.
3. **The budget line** The month's budget, so the forecast reads against it.

## The data it needs

| Column | Type | Example | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| date | Date | 2026-10-16 | One row per day and model. |
| model | Text | Atlas 3 | Group small models into Other. |
| spend_usd | Number, USD | 638 | That day's spend for the model. |
| budget_usd | Number, USD | 20000 | The month's budget, the same on every row. |

## From spend to date to the budget

042 · Waterfall

From spend to date to the budget: Spend to date $10.2K, Rest of October +$9.4K, Forecast $19.6K, Headroom +$0.4K, Budget $20K.

| Step | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Spend to date | $10.2K |
| Rest of October | +$9.4K |
| Forecast | $19.6K |
| Headroom | +$0.4K |
| Budget | $20K |

October has spent $10.2K in 16 days, $638 a day. The rest of the month adds a forecast $9.4K, landing at $19.6K: $360 under the $20K budget, with a high case of $20.1K over it.

The area shows the pace; the waterfall shows how close the month lands. Put it under the widget during the month.

## Next to it on an AI dashboard

- [116 · Money flow](https://usechartory.com/charts/money-flow): Flow between steps · AI data
- [114 · Burn-rate tracks](https://usechartory.com/charts/burn-rate-tracks): Compare items · AI data
- [109 · Frontier map](https://usechartory.com/charts/frontier-map): Relationship · AI data

## Common mistakes

- **Total spend with no budget** Spend alone says nothing about whether it is too much. Draw the budget.
- **A forecast with no range** Show the high case too, so a near miss is visible.
- **Every model as its own colour** Past three or four, group the small models into Other.

## Budget runway, waterfall and the other 130 types.

In Figma and React, in four sizes, light and dark. Pay once, every update. [See plans](https://usechartory.com/pricing). [101 · Budget runway type page](https://usechartory.com/charts/budget-runway) · [042 · Waterfall type page](https://usechartory.com/charts/waterfall)

## Questions

### What counts as model spend?

What the model providers bill for tokens and calls, per model, per day.

### How is the forecast made?

From the daily pace so far, with a high case for a busier rest of month. Send it with the data.

### Can I draw it from my own data?

Yes. The chart is drawn from your rows (date, model, spend, budget) and lays out again for its size; nothing is scaled.

### Does the budget runway come in every size?

Yes: XS, S, M and L, each laid out again for its size, in light and dark.

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Charting another metric? Start from what the chart has to show. [Open the Chart Chooser](https://usechartory.com/chooser)