Emergency Fund Calculator
Rules of thumb say keep several months of must-pay bills in cash or near-cash. Enter what you truly spend on essentials each month and your cushion length.
Emergency fund target
How this is calculated
Target fund = monthly essential expenses × months of runway. Optional: current savings shows the gap to fund the target.
Example: $4,200/month × 6 months = $25,200 target.
Use this tool for
- Setting a first savings goal after paying off high-APR debt.
- Rebuilding after drawing the fund for a surprise repair.
- Comparing 3 vs. 6 months if income is variable.
Common questions
What counts as “essential”?
Housing, utilities, food, insurance, minimum debt payments, and transport you need to earn income—drop discretionary categories for a conservative target.
Investments vs cash?
This target is usually highly liquid savings; market investments can drop when you need them most.
