Your emergency fund
Target
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Essential costs / month
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Still to save
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You could cover now
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Time to target
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Progress
Milestones
| Cover | Target | Still to save | Time |
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Target = essential monthly costs × months to cover. Time = still to save ÷ monthly amount, rounded up. No interest or returns are assumed.
This is an educational calculator only, not financial advice. The 3, 6, and 9 month levels are common rules of thumb, not requirements. Numbers stay in your browser.
How big should an emergency fund be?
An emergency fund is cash you keep for things you cannot plan: losing a job, an urgent repair, a medical bill, or a family emergency. It is measured in months of essential costs, the bills you would still pay if your income stopped tomorrow.
A common rule of thumb is 3, 6, or 9 months. Around 3 months often suits a single person with a steady job and few fixed costs. Around 6 months suits households with children, a mortgage or rent that would be hard to cut, or one main income. Around 9 months or more suits freelancers, business owners, and anyone whose income changes month to month.
Example. Essential costs of 3,000 a month and a 6-month target give 18,000. With 4,000 already saved and 400 added a month, the remaining 14,000 takes 35 months. The first milestone, one month of costs (3,000), is already reached; three months (9,000) is 13 months away.
Where to keep it. Somewhere safe and easy to reach within a day or two, separate from your everyday account so it is not spent by accident. It does not need to earn anything; its job is to be there.
Start small. One month of essentials already turns many emergencies into an inconvenience instead of a debt. Build to three, then keep going.
Questions
How much should I have in an emergency fund?
A common rule of thumb is 3 to 6 months of essential living costs, and 9 months or more if your income is irregular or you are self-employed. Add up the bills you would still have to pay if your income stopped, then multiply by the number of months you want to cover.
What counts as an essential expense?
Housing, utilities, groceries, transport to work, insurance and health costs, minimum debt payments, childcare, and anything else you could not stop paying. Leave out wants you could pause, like dining out or streaming services.
How long will it take to build my emergency fund?
Divide what you still need by what you can add each month and round up. For example, 14,000 still to save at 400 a month takes 35 months. The calculator also shows the time to smaller milestones such as one and three months of costs.
What is the 3-6-9 rule?
It is a guideline for emergency savings: about 3 months of essential costs with a stable income and few dependants, about 6 months as a general target or with children or a mortgage, and about 9 months if you are self-employed or your income varies.
Should I save an emergency fund or pay off debt first?
Many people keep a small starter fund, often one month of essentials, while paying off debt, so a surprise bill does not create new debt. Then they build the full fund. Your situation may differ, so treat this as a general idea, not advice.
Are my numbers saved or sent anywhere?
No. The calculator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is stored or sent to a server.
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