THE NUMBERS, EXPLAINED
How to use this calculator.
Uses a directed acyclic dependency graph with unlimited resources. Durations must share units. Cycles and unknown dependencies are rejected.
Start with your inputs
Enter tasks: id,duration,dependencies separated by spaces (one per line). Keep amounts in the units shown on each field. The example is a starting point, not a recommended value.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Tasks: ID,duration,dependencies separated by spaces (one per line) | A,2, B,3,A C,1,A D,2,B C |
A worked example
With the example inputs above, project duration is 7. Change the inputs to explore your own scenario.
| Result | Example answer |
|---|---|
| Project duration | 7 |
| Critical path | A → B → D |
How this is calculated
Project duration
For each task, earliest finish = its duration + the greatest earliest finish among its dependencies (zero for no dependencies). Project duration is the largest task finish. Reject dependency cycles and unknown task IDs.
Critical path
Trace the dependency choices giving that longest duration; display one such path if there is a tie.
Symbols and units
- a
- Tasks: ID,duration,dependencies separated by spaces (one per line)
Use the units shown. A list keeps the order in which you enter its values. The symbol ^ means “raised to the power of”.
Assumptions and limits
Uses a directed acyclic dependency graph with unlimited resources. Durations must share units. Cycles and unknown dependencies are rejected.
Calculations use the values you enter. Blank or invalid inputs show an error instead of silently substituting zero. Results are displayed to useful precision; calculations retain the underlying numeric precision.
Questions about this tool
What does the result tell me?
Project duration; Critical path. The result applies to the method and inputs described above. Check the units and assumptions before using it in a decision.
Why might another calculator differ?
Differences in units, rounding, timing or model definitions can produce different answers. Compare the input definitions and the method, rather than only the final number. For this tool: Uses a directed acyclic dependency graph with unlimited resources. Durations must share units. Cycles and unknown dependencies are rejected.
Are my inputs stored or sent to AI?
Calculations on this page happen in your browser. The separate AI question finder sends its submitted conversation to OpenAI; these calculator fields are not sent. Favourites and recent tool names are stored locally. A shared link contains the inputs you choose to include.
Review status
Software example and browser checks are recorded in our quality report. No external expert review is claimed. Created with coding assistance; calculations run as ordinary browser code.
Read the quality report →