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About the emergency fund calculator
An emergency fund is money you keep for the unexpected: a job loss, a car repair, a medical bill. The usual advice is to save 3 to 6 months of must-pay costs. This calculator turns that advice into your own number.
Type your must-pay costs per month (rent, food, bills, insurance, minimum debt payments). Choose how many months to cover — or pick my situation and let the calculator suggest it. Add what you have saved so far and what you can save per month.
You see your emergency fund goal, how much is still to save, how long it takes, the goal date, and how many months of costs you can cover today.
How to use it
- Type your must-pay costs per month
- Choose the months to cover — press 3, 6, 9 or 12 — or pick my situation
- Type what you have saved so far and what you can save per month
- Read the goal, the amount still to save and the goal date
How many months do I need?
| Situation | Months |
|---|---|
| Two stable incomes, no children | 3 |
| One stable income | 6 |
| Self-employed, commission or irregular pay | 9 |
| Family on one income, or an uncertain job | 12 |
Start with a small first goal — one month of costs — and build up. Even one month stops a flat tire from going on a credit card.
Example fund sizes
| Costs per month | 3 months | 6 months | 9 months | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $4,500 | $9,000 | $13,500 | $18,000 |
| $2,000 | $6,000 | $12,000 | $18,000 | $24,000 |
| $2,500 | $7,500 | $15,000 | $22,500 | $30,000 |
| $3,000 | $9,000 | $18,000 | $27,000 | $36,000 |
| $4,000 | $12,000 | $24,000 | $36,000 | $48,000 |
With costs of $2,500, a goal of 6 months ($15,000), $3,000 saved and $300 saved per month, you need $12,000 more. That takes 40 months (3 years 4 months). Save $600 a month and it takes 20 months.
Where to keep it
- A savings account you can reach in a day or two, separate from daily spending
- Not in shares or in a place that can drop in value just when you need the money
- Not as cash at home only — it is lost in a fire or a theft
Frequently asked questions
How much should be in an emergency fund?
Most advisers say 3 to 6 months of must-pay costs. Use more if your income is not stable or others depend on you.
Should I save or pay off debt first?
A common plan: build a starter fund (one month of costs) first, then pay off high-interest debt, then grow the fund to 3–6 months. Use the Debt Payoff Calculator for the debt part.
What counts as an emergency?
Job loss, urgent medical or home repairs, a car you need for work. A sale or a holiday is not an emergency.
Which costs should I include?
Only the must-pay ones: housing, food, utilities, transport to work, insurance, minimum debt payments. Leave out eating out and fun.
I used my fund. What now?
That is what it is for. Start filling it again — the calculator shows the new goal date.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is a planning tool.
Good to know
- Works with any currency — choose it at the top
- Your numbers are saved only in this browser
- Nothing you type is sent anywhere
Related tools
- Savings Goal Calculator — save for any goal by a date
- Budget Calculator — find the money to save
- Debt Payoff Calculator — clear debts
- Net Worth Calculator — see the whole picture
- Rent Affordability Calculator — keep rent in reach
