Emergency Fund Calculator

Calculate how many months of cash reserves you need to protect yourself against unexpected job loss or medical events.

Free to use • Expense-based targets • No signup required

Monthly Essential Expenses

$
$
$
$
$
$
Cash in checking or HYSA
$
Target Emergency Fund
$20,280
3.6 Mos Saved
Fund Progress 59% Funded
Monthly Essential Spend
$3,380 / mo
Remaining to Save
$8,280
Current Cash Runway
3.6 Months
Runway Deficit
2.4 Months
You have 3.6 months of essential living expenses covered. Saving $500/month will complete your 6-month buffer in approximately 17 months.

How Big Should Your Emergency Fund Be?

An emergency fund is liquid cash set aside strictly for catastrophic unexpected events: sudden job loss, major medical deductibles, or essential home/car repairs.

Runway Guidelines

  • 3 Months: Appropriate for dual-income households with stable corporate jobs and low debt.
  • 6 Months: The gold standard for single-income households or families with children.
  • 9 to 12 Months: Recommended for freelance workers, independent contractors, commission-only sales professionals, or business owners with variable revenue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep your emergency fund in a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) or money market account with FDIC insurance. Avoid locking it in illiquid certificates of deposit (CDs) or investing it in volatile stock markets.

No. Dining out, vacations, and entertainment subscriptions should be immediately paused during a true financial emergency. Only base your runway on non-negotiable living essentials.

Related Calculators & Guides

Educational Disclaimer: Emergency fund targets provide educational benchmarks. Individual emergency buffer needs depend on household job security, disability insurance, and family support systems.