Emergency Fund Calculator
Find out how much you should have saved for emergencies based on your situation, and see how long it will take to get there.
Emergency Fund Health
Weak
1.1 months of coverage
Target Emergency Fund
$27,000
6 months of expenses
Remaining to Save
$22,000
Months to Goal
3yr 8mo
💡 We recommend 6 months of expenses based on your job stability and dependents. Keep your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account for easy access.
Create a full plan
Create a free plan to see your complete financial picture
Try it freeNo signup requiredBuilding Your Safety Net
How many months of expenses should I save?
Most financial experts recommend 3 - 6 months of essential expenses. If you're self-employed, have variable income, or are the sole earner in your household, consider targeting 6 - 12 months. Essential expenses include housing, food, utilities, insurance, and minimum debt payments - not discretionary spending.
Where should I keep my emergency fund?
Your emergency fund should be in a high-yield savings account - liquid enough to access within 1 - 2 business days, but earning some interest. Avoid investing it in stocks or locking it in CDs with early withdrawal penalties. The goal is accessibility, not growth.
Should I pay off debt or build an emergency fund first?
Start with a small starter fund of $1,000 - $2,000 before aggressively paying down high-interest debt. This prevents you from going deeper into debt when unexpected expenses hit. Once high-interest debt is paid off, build your full emergency fund.
Related calculators
Savings Goal Calculator
Calculate exactly how much to save monthly to hit any financial goal by your target date.
Budget Calculator
Use the 50/30/20 rule to allocate income across needs, wants, and savings - with growth projections.
Debt Payoff Calculator
Compare avalanche vs snowball strategies and see how extra payments accelerate payoff.