Emergency fund calculator

Work out how many months of expenses to keep in cash before you start investing.

Rent or mortgage, food, utilities, insurance, minimum debt payments.

Your emergency fund target

$18,000

You need $16,000 more. At $400 a month you get there in 3 yr 2 mo.

$16,000Still to save
3 yr 2 moTime to target
0.7 monthsCovered today
3 months$9,000
6 months$18,000
9 months$27,000
12 months$36,000

How this calculator works

Your target is your essential monthly spending times the months you want covered. The calculator then shows how long your monthly saving takes to get there, with interest.

An emergency fund means a surprise never forces you to sell investments at a bad time.

Common questions

How many months do I need?

Three to six months of essentials is the usual guideline; more for one income, kids or irregular pay.

Where should I keep it?

Somewhere safe and easy to reach, such as a high-yield savings account.

Should I invest before it is complete?

Many people build a starter fund first, then split new money between the fund and investing, especially to get an employer match.

FatDCA calculators are educational estimates, not investment, tax or legal advice. Results depend on the assumptions you enter, and past returns do not predict future returns.

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