Loading Legacy
Calculate the right emergency fund size for your expenses and risk tolerance, and see how long it takes to build it.
Calculate how much you need in your emergency fund and how long it will take to build it.
Emergency Fund Target
$24,000
6 months × $4,000 monthly expenses
Current Coverage
0% Funded
$0 saved of $24,000 target
Gap to Goal
$24,000
Months to Fund
48 months
| Category | % of Expenses | Suggested Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent/mortgage) | 35% | $1,400 |
| Food & Groceries | 15% | $600 |
| Transportation | 15% | $600 |
| Utilities & Bills | 10% | $400 |
| Insurance | 10% | $400 |
| Other Essentials | 15% | $600 |
3-Month Fund
Best for those with stable employment, dual income households, and few dependents. Covers short-term job disruption or unexpected bills.
6-Month Fund
The gold standard recommended by most financial experts. Suitable for most households — provides a solid buffer against job loss, medical emergencies, or major repairs.
9–12 Month Fund
Ideal for self-employed individuals, freelancers, single-income households, or anyone in a volatile industry. Provides maximum peace of mind during extended disruptions.
Emergency Fund Calculator multiplies your monthly essential expenses by your chosen coverage months (3–12) to set a target, subtracts current savings, and divides the gap by monthly contributions to estimate time to fully fund.
Calculate your ideal emergency fund based on monthly expenses and risk tolerance. See how long it takes to build, and get expert guidance on 3, 6, and 12-month coverage targets.
Enter your total monthly essential expenses (rent, food, utilities, transport, insurance)
Select coverage level: 3 months (minimal), 6 months (recommended), or 12 months (variable income)
Enter what you have saved already and your monthly savings rate
See your target, gap, and months to fully fund
Target = monthly expenses × coverage months. Gap = max(0, target − current savings). Months to fund = ceil(gap / monthly savings rate). If savings rate = 0, time is shown as 'indefinite.' Suggested expense categories use common household spending percentages.
Most financial experts recommend 3–6 months of essential expenses. If you have variable income, dependents, or work in a volatile industry, 9–12 months provides stronger protection.
Keep it in a liquid, FDIC-insured account separate from your checking account. High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) offer 4–5% APY in 2026 while keeping your money accessible within 1–2 business days.
No. Emergency funds should not be in stocks or long-term investments. Market downturns often coincide with job losses — exactly when you need the money. Keep it in cash or HYSA.
Credit cards carry 20%+ APR and create debt cycles. An emergency fund lets you handle unexpected expenses without going into debt. Build both — an emergency fund first, then pay off high-interest debt.
Find out exactly how much to save each month to reach any financial goal by a target date.
Apply the 50/30/20 rule (or any budget framework) to your take-home pay and see monthly allocations.
Add up your assets and liabilities. Compare to US median by age.