Emergency Fund Calculator
Figure out how big your emergency fund should be based on monthly expenses and your target number of months, free right in your browser.
Enter Values
Before you rely on this: First-pass guide only. Verify safety-critical or regulated work against the relevant standards, your project requirements and a qualified professional.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your monthly expenses.
- Optionally set months of cover, then Calculate.
How it works
Target fund = monthly expenses × months of cover (commonly 3–6 months).
Worked example
$3,000/month × 6. = $18,000.
Common mistakes
- Basing it on income instead of actual monthly expenses.
- Counting discretionary spending you'd cut in an emergency.
Frequently asked questions
How big should an emergency fund be?
A common guide is 3–6 months of essential expenses; more if your income is variable or insecure.
Where should I keep it?
Somewhere safe and accessible, like a high-interest savings account — not tied up in investments.
How many months of expenses should I save?
Commonly 3–6 months. Lean toward more if your income is variable or you have dependents or a single income.
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Cite this tool
Zerdly. (2026). Emergency Fund Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.zerdly.com/tools/emergency-fund-calculator/
Tip: Enter any known values to calculate the remaining results.
All calculations run in your browser. Your inputs are never saved or transmitted.