Liquidity is often evaluated by comparing a company's current assets to its current liabilities. Working capital, the current ratio, and the quick ratio are referred to as liquidity ratios or short-term solvency ratios , since their calculations use some or all of the current assets and the current liabilities. Sometimes a company's accounts receivable turnover ratio, inventory turnover ratio, and free cash flow are also used to assess a company's liquidity.

Liquidation is a term commonly used when a company sells parts of its business for cash, or when it sells assets in order to pay debts. Liquidation may also involve the winding down or the closing of a business.