Emergency Fund Calculator
Turn essential monthly expenses into a clear three-, six-, or custom-month emergency-fund target.
Quick answer
Enter essential monthly expenses and the number of months you want to cover. Add current savings and a monthly contribution to estimate the remaining gap and timeline.
Formula used
Target = essential monthly expenses × target months. Months to goal = (target − current savings) ÷ monthly contribution, rounded up.
Worked example
With $2,500 of essential expenses, a six-month target is $15,000. If $2,000 is saved and $300 is added monthly, the remaining $13,000 takes about 44 months without interest.
How to interpret the result
Three to six months is a common starting range, not a requirement for everyone. Income stability, insurance, dependents and access to credit affect the appropriate target.
Sources and methodology
Investor.gov compound interest calculator · Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: saving. Sources explain general concepts; ToolGemini calculations use only the values you enter and the formula shown above.
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Frequently asked questions
Which expenses should I include?
Include essentials you would still need during an income interruption, such as housing, utilities, food, insurance, transport and minimum debt payments.
Does the estimate include savings interest?
No. It uses a transparent no-interest timeline so the target is easy to audit.
Should I use three or six months?
Choose a buffer that fits your circumstances. Less predictable income or more dependents may justify a larger target.