Emergency Fund Calculator
How big should your safety net be? Set a target in months of essential expenses and see how long until you’re fully funded.
Where you land
How you compare to other people
High-yield savings for your emergency fund
Learn moreThree to six months
An emergency fund keeps a job loss, car repair or medical bill from becoming debt. The standard target is 3 to 6 months of essential expenses — lean toward three if your income is stable and dual, and six or more if you’re self-employed, single-income, or have variable pay. Keep it somewhere safe and liquid.
How it’s calculated & sources
Target = monthly essential expenses × months of cushion. We subtract what you’ve saved and divide the gap by your monthly contribution to estimate the time to fully fund it.
Benchmark: 3–6 months of essential expenses (Bankrate / CFPB guidance).
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not personalized financial, tax, medical or legal advice. Verify with a professional.
Worked example
On $3,500/month of essentials with a 6-month goal ($21,000), saving $500/month from $5,000 gets you fully funded in about 2 years and 8 months.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I keep it?
In a high-yield savings account or money-market fund — safe, liquid and earning interest. Not in stocks, which can drop right when you need the cash.
Build it before investing?
Build a starter fund (~1 month) first, then balance investing with topping up the emergency fund. The full cushion protects your long-term investments from forced selling.