Emergency Fund Size Calculator
Calculate the right emergency fund target based on your monthly expenses and employment situation.
Results
What is it?
An emergency fund is liquid cash (or near-cash) set aside to cover essential living expenses in the event of job loss, medical emergency, or major unexpected expense. It is the financial foundation without which no investing or FIRE strategy can be safely pursued.
How to use
Enter your monthly essential expenses (not total spending — just bare necessities), choose your coverage target based on your risk profile, and enter your current emergency savings. The calculator shows your target, how much more you need, and your current funded percentage.
Example scenario
Monthly essential expenses of $3,500 with a 6-month target means you need $21,000. With $5,000 saved, you are 23.8% funded and still need $16,000 to reach the recommended level.
Pro tip
Keep your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account (HYSA) to earn 4-5% APY while maintaining instant liquidity. Do not invest your emergency fund in stocks — a job loss often coincides with a market downturn, the worst time to sell.