Calculator
Emergency Fund Calculator
Right-size your emergency fund based on your real essential expenses — and see exactly when you'll be fully funded.
1. Your inputs
Results update instantly. Everything runs in your browser.
2. Your results
Recommended fund size
$22,800
You're $18,600 short.
Target
$22,800
Currently saved
$4,200
Gap
$18,600
Current coverage
1.1 mo
Time to target
47 mo
Progress
18%
Building the fund
Current progress
$22,800
Target
- Currently saved18%
$4,200
- Gap82%
$18,600
What does this mean?
Get an AI explanation of your results in plain English.
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In plain English
At $3,800/month of essential expenses, your 6-month target fund is $22,800.
You currently have $4,200, leaving a gap of $18,600. At $400/month you'll close it in 47 months.
Keep this money in a high-yield savings account you don't touch. Not investments, not checking, not physical cash.
Assumptions used
The math relies on these assumptions. Real-world numbers can vary.
- Monthly expenses figure represents essentials only.
- Fund kept in a liquid, insured account (savings, MMA).
- Target multiples: 3 (aggressive), 6 (standard), 12 (conservative).
- Current balance is what's actually earmarked as emergency fund.
- Monthly contribution goes 100% into the fund (not shared).
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Frequently asked
How many months should I aim for?
3 months is the widely quoted minimum. 6 months is the standard target. 9–12 months makes sense if your income is variable or you're the sole earner.
Where should I keep it?
High-yield savings account you don't touch. Not checking (too accessible), not investments (too volatile), not physical cash (rate is 0%).
Should I build this before paying off debt?
Build at least one month first, then split your extra between fund and debt payoff. Zero cushion + aggressive debt payoff often ends in a bigger crisis.
Does the fund earn interest?
A high-yield savings account today earns 3–5% APY. The primary job is safety, but pick an account that at least keeps up with inflation.
What counts as 'essential expenses'?
Housing, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, minimum debt payments, and basic communication. Skip dining out, entertainment, subscriptions, and vacation.
About the Emergency Fund Calculator
An emergency fund is the single most important piece of financial infrastructure most households need. It prevents a $2,000 surprise from becoming a $10,000 crisis on a credit card.
The classic rule is 3–6 months of essential expenses. In practice, single-earner households and variable-income workers should aim closer to 9–12 months.
Once you're fully funded, stop adding to it and redirect the money to debt payoff or investing. The fund's job is stability, not growth.
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These calculators are for education only and are not a substitute for personalized advice from a licensed professional. Read our full disclaimer.