Emergency Fund Calculator
How large an emergency fund should be, the gap to it and how long it takes to fill.
Results
Target amount
7200.00
Still to save
4700.00
Months
23.5
Months covered
2.08
What this tool does
The figure to use is essential spending — rent, food, utilities, insurance, minimum debt payments — not your whole budget, because in an emergency the rest stops. Three months is the usual floor and six the common target, with more for irregular or single-income households.
Formula
fund = essential expenses × coverage months
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit |
|---|---|---|
ex | Monthly expenses | — |
mo | Months covered | — |
cu | Current savings | — |
sv | Saved each month | — |
T | Target amount | — |
GA | Still to save | — |
MN | Months | — |
CV | Months covered | — |
Worked example
- Monthly expenses1200
- Months covered6
- Current savings2500
- Saved each month200
- Target amount7200.00
- Still to save4700.00
- Months23.5
- Months covered2.08
Limitations
- This is an informational calculator, not personalised financial advice. Rates, fees, taxes and contract conditions vary between institutions and countries.
- The result is an estimate based only on the values you type. Real situations often include factors this calculator does not know about.
- The tool works with whatever currency you use for the inputs; it does not convert between currencies.