Calculator
Emergency Fund Calculator
Add up your essential monthly costs, choose how many months of cover you want, and see the target — plus how long it takes to get there at your current saving rate.
4-month target
$13,200
$3,300 of essential costs each month
Still to save
$11,200
28 months at $400/mo
Currently covered
0.6 months
how long your current savings would cover essentials
Progress toward the target
- Saved$2,000 · 15%
- Remaining$11,200 · 85%
How big should it be?
Common guidance is three to six months of essential expenses. The reasoning is simple: the fund exists to replace income long enough to find new income. If your income is variable, or one salary supports several people, the same logic points to a larger number. If you could replace your income quickly, a smaller fund may be reasonable.
The point of separating essentials from total spending is that discretionary spending usually stops during an emergency. Budgeting for it inflates the target and makes the goal feel unreachable.
FAQ
Questions about this calculator
More on this in the saving guides.
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