Emergency Fund Calculator

Find your target emergency fund based on essential monthly costs, and how long it takes to get there.

Essential monthly expenses ($)

Months of cover you want

Already saved ($)

Monthly amount you can set aside ($)

Target emergency fund$0

Still to save$0

Time to reach it0 mo

Why the emergency fund comes first

An emergency fund is cash set aside for the unexpected — a job loss, a medical bill, a broken boiler. It is the foundation that lets you invest calmly, because you never have to sell investments at a bad time to cover a surprise. Most people aim for three to six months of essential expenses; six is a sensible default, more if your income is variable.

Keep it in cash or a high-interest savings account, not in stocks — this money's job is safety, not growth. Once it is in place, the rest of your savings can go to work. This is exactly the sequence in how to start investing as a beginner.