Emergency Fund Calculator - How Much Should You Save? | 3-6 Month Rule
Calculate your ideal emergency fund size based on monthly expenses, income stability, and dependents. Discover how long it takes to build 3-6 months of savings with our free emergency savings calculator.
Rent, utilities, food, insurance, minimum debt payments
Higher = stable income, Lower = variable/freelance income
You've started! Keep building toward 3-6 months of expenses.
Current Savings
$5,000
1.3 months covered
Target Amount
$24,000
6 months of expenses
Remaining
$19,000
38 months at current rate
Personalized Recommendation
Based on your job stability (50%), we recommend saving $12,000 (3 months) for optimal protection.
Starter Fund
$4k
Basic Safety
$12k
Standard Goal
$24k
Extra Security
$36k
Maximum Protection
$48k
At your current savings rate, you'll reach your 6-month emergency fund by January 2029
Get expert guidance tailored to your financial goals
Understanding the Concept
An emergency fund is a cash reserve for unexpected expenses like medical bills, car repairs, or job loss. Financial experts recommend 3-6 months of living expenses, with higher amounts for those with variable income or dependents.
Tips to Optimize
- •Start with $1,000 as a mini emergency fund, then build to 3-6 months
- •Keep funds in a high-yield savings account for easy access
- •Automate transfers every payday to build consistently
- •Only use for true emergencies, not planned expenses
- •Replenish immediately after using funds
- •Increase target if you're self-employed or have variable income