> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.budgetbandit.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Budget vs Actual
> Compare what you allocated to each category against what you actually spent, so you can see where the plan held and where it slipped.
Budget vs Actual lines up two numbers per category: what you assigned, and what you spent. The gap between them tells you where the plan held and where it slipped.
## Open the report
Open **Reports**, then **Budget vs Actual**. For the date range you pick, each category shows the amount you allocated next to the amount you spent.
This is the report the question chooser opens for "Am I sticking to my plan?"
Use it to:
* Find the categories where spending ran past what you assigned.
* Spot categories you funded but barely touched, so you can move that money next month.
* Review a full month after it closes to tune your targets.
## Reading the gap
* **Spent less than allocated** — money is left in the category. Roll it forward or move it where it's needed.
* **Spent more than allocated** — the category overspent. See [Cover overspending](/budgeting/cover-overspending).
* **Allocated nothing, spent something** — you spent from a category you never funded, which is the most common source of a red number on the budget.
Budget vs Actual reflects the money you assigned in the budget, not your account balances. To compare against statements instead, [reconcile the account](/reconciling/reconcile-an-account).
## If the numbers look off
* Allocated looks wrong — check the month you assigned money in; the report follows your budget allocations.
* Spent looks wrong — look for [splits](/transactions/splits) or [uncategorized transactions](/transactions/to-review).
* Still wrong — see [Budgeting troubleshooting](/troubleshooting/budgeting).
## Related
Give each category a number to measure against.
Break the actuals down by category or payee.