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The Global Insight

What is the quick acid test ratio used for?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on February 12, 2026

The acid-test ratio (ATR), also commonly known as the quick ratio, measures the liquidity of a company by calculating how well current assets can cover current liabilities. The quick ratio uses only the most liquid current assets that can be converted to cash within 90 days or less.

How is the quick acid test ratio calculated?

There are two ways to calculate the quick ratio:

  1. QR = (Current Assets – Inventories – Prepaids) / Current Liabilities.
  2. QR = (Cash + Cash Equivalents + Marketable Securities + Accounts Receivable) / Current Liabilities.

What is a good quick ratio score?

Obviously, a higher current ratio is better for the business. A good current ratio is between 1.2 to 2, which means that the business has 2 times more current assets than liabilities to covers its debts.

What does a quick ratio of 0.8 mean?

If the ratio is 1 or higher, that means that the company can use current assets to cover liabilities due in the next year. For example, if a company has a quick ratio of 0.8, it has $0.80 of current assets for every $1 of current liabilities.

What does quick ratio indicate?

The quick ratio measures the dollar amount of liquid assets available against the dollar amount of current liabilities of a company. It indicates that the company is fully equipped with exactly enough assets to be instantly liquidated to pay off its current liabilities.

How do you analyze quick ratio?

The quick ratio is calculated by dividing the sum of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and account receivables by the company’s current liabilities. These highly liquid investments are also called quick assets.

What does a quick ratio of 0.5 mean?

When the ratio is at least 1, it means a company’s quick assets are equal to its current liabilities. A ratio of 0.5, on the other hand, would indicate the company has twice as much in current liabilities as quick assets — making it likely that the company will have trouble paying current liabilities.

How is the quick ratio and acid test ratio used?

Quick ratio or acid test ratio. Quick ratio (also known as “acid test ratio” and “liquid ratio”) is used to test the ability of a business to pay its short-term debts. It measures the relationship between liquid assets and current liabilities. Liquid assets are equal to total current assets minus inventories and prepaid expenses.

What is the purpose of an acid test?

The quick ratio or acid test ratio is a liquidity ratio that measures the ability of a company to pay its current liabilities when they come due with only quick assets.

How does the Acid Test of liquidity work?

The acid test ratio measures the liquidity of a company by showing its ability to pay off its current liabilities with quick assets. If a firm has enough quick assets to cover its total current liabilities, the firm will be able to pay off its obligations without having to sell off any long-term or capital assets.

Why is inventory not included in the acid test ratio?

Inventory is not included in calculating the ratio, as it is not ordinarily an asset that can be easily and quickly converted into cash. Compared to the current ratio – a liquidity or debt ratio which does include inventory value in the calculation – the acid-test ratio is considered a more conservative estimation of a company’s financial health.