The Emergency Fund Calculator tells you exactly how much you need in a rainy-day fund based on your monthly essential expenses and employment situation — and shows you how long it will take to save that amount at your current savings rate.
Use it free in your browser — no account or download required.
Key Features
Risk profile quiz — recommends 3, 6, 9, or 12 months of expenses
HYSA interest rate input to see how savings account APY speeds up your goal
Month-by-month savings growth chart
Interest earned and months saved by using a high-yield account
Category-based expense breakdown
Goal date and progress tracking
How to Use Emergency Fund Calculator
Step 1: Enter your monthly essential expenses Include only true necessities: rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, transport, insurance, and minimum debt payments. Do not include discretionary spending like dining out or subscriptions.
Step 2: Select your risk profile Choose 3 months (stable dual income), 6 months (single income or standard employment), or 9 months (freelance, contract, or variable income). Higher income uncertainty requires a larger buffer.
Step 3: See your emergency fund target The calculator multiplies your monthly essentials by your chosen number of months. This is your target balance.
Keep your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account — it should be liquid and accessible within 24 hours, but not so accessible you spend it.
Your emergency fund and your investment portfolio are separate. Do not count stocks, ISAs, or pension funds as emergency savings.
Rebuild your emergency fund immediately after using it — treat it as your top financial priority until it's restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include all my monthly expenses or just essentials?
Just essentials — the expenses you absolutely must pay to survive: rent, food, utilities, insurance, transport, and minimum debt repayments. The emergency fund covers true emergencies, not lifestyle maintenance.
Should I invest my emergency fund to earn more interest?
No. Emergency funds must be immediately accessible. Investing in stocks or funds means you could be forced to sell at a loss during a market crash — which often coincides with job losses or emergencies.
Available Plans
Free — Core features available instantly, no account needed
Pro — Unlock AI features, unlimited saves, and PDF/DOCX export
Pro+ — Everything in Pro, plus no ads and advanced AI features