◆ CALCULATOR
Emergency Fund
See how many months you're covered, what a full cushion looks like, and how long it takes to get there.
Try an example
Months covered now
1.3 months
Full-cushion target
$19,200
Time to full cushion
3 yr 2 mo
Months covered
1.3
BalanceTarget
| x | Balance | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Mo 1 | $4,000 | $19,200 |
| Mo 2 | $4,400 | $19,200 |
| Mo 3 | $4,800 | $19,200 |
| Mo 4 | $5,200 | $19,200 |
| Mo 5 | $5,600 | $19,200 |
| Mo 6 | $6,000 | $19,200 |
| Mo 7 | $6,400 | $19,200 |
| Mo 8 | $6,800 | $19,200 |
| Mo 9 | $7,200 | $19,200 |
| Mo 10 | $7,600 | $19,200 |
| Mo 11 | $8,000 | $19,200 |
| Mo 12 | $8,400 | $19,200 |
| Mo 13 | $8,800 | $19,200 |
| Mo 14 | $9,200 | $19,200 |
| Mo 15 | $9,600 | $19,200 |
| Mo 16 | $10,000 | $19,200 |
| Mo 17 | $10,400 | $19,200 |
| Mo 18 | $10,800 | $19,200 |
| Mo 19 | $11,200 | $19,200 |
| Mo 20 | $11,600 | $19,200 |
| Mo 21 | $12,000 | $19,200 |
| Mo 22 | $12,400 | $19,200 |
| Mo 23 | $12,800 | $19,200 |
| Mo 24 | $13,200 | $19,200 |
| Mo 25 | $13,600 | $19,200 |
| Mo 26 | $14,000 | $19,200 |
| Mo 27 | $14,400 | $19,200 |
| Mo 28 | $14,800 | $19,200 |
| Mo 29 | $15,200 | $19,200 |
| Mo 30 | $15,600 | $19,200 |
| Mo 31 | $16,000 | $19,200 |
| Mo 32 | $16,400 | $19,200 |
| Mo 33 | $16,800 | $19,200 |
| Mo 34 | $17,200 | $19,200 |
| Mo 35 | $17,600 | $19,200 |
| Mo 36 | $18,000 | $19,200 |
| Mo 37 | $18,400 | $19,200 |
| Mo 38 | $18,800 | $19,200 |
| Mo 39 | $19,200 | $19,200 |
How to use this calculator
- Enter your monthly essential expensesBare-bones: housing, food, utilities, insurance, minimum payments.
- Add current savings and monthly contributionWhat you've set aside and what you add each month.
- Pick a target cushion3–6 months; lean higher if your income is variable or you're the only earner.
An emergency fund is the difference between a setback and a spiral. A job loss or a surprise bill is survivable with cash set aside, and a debt trap without it.
◆ Frequently Asked Questions
How many months of expenses should I save?
Three to six months of essential expenses is the common range. Lean toward six or more if your income is variable, you are the only earner, or your job is less secure.
What counts as an essential expense?
The bare-bones costs you could not skip in a tight month: housing, food, utilities, insurance, transportation, and minimum debt payments. Leave out dining out and other wants when sizing the fund.
Where should I keep my emergency fund?
In a safe account you can reach the same day, such as a high-yield savings account. It should not be invested in the stock market, where it could fall in value right when you need it.
Should I build the fund or pay off debt first?
A small starter cushion of about one month comes first, so a surprise does not push you deeper into debt. After that, attack high-rate debt while you keep building toward a full fund.
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What Is a Sinking Fund?
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