The method
How it is worked out
Target = months (3–12 by income stability, dependants, insurance) × essential monthly expenses
- essential expenses
- Housing, food, utilities, transport, debt minimums; not discretionary spending
Emergency Fund Calculator
Work out how many months of expenses you should hold, how far you are from it, and when to stop saving cash and start investing. The result updates as you type so you can compare scenarios quickly.
Keep in mind
What it leaves out
- AccessEmergency money should be reachable within days, not in fixed-term deposits.
- InflationRecheck the target yearly as costs rise.
- Separate accountKeeping it apart from current spending stops it leaking.
Use the calculator to compare scenarios rather than as a guaranteed forecast.
About the Emergency Fund Calculator
Work out how many months of essential spending you should hold in cash for your situation, how far you are from it, and when to stop building cash and start investing instead.
How it works and an example to tryShow less
How to use the result
A baseline of three months is adjusted for income stability, dependants and income protection, within a three-to-twelve-month range. The target is that many months of essential expenses. The gap and months to close it follow from what you have and can save.
Example to try
Essential expenses of £2,400 with salaried income, one dependant and no income protection call for 3.5 months, or £8,400. With £3,000 saved and £350 a month, the gap closes in 16 months.
Put it to work
Try it on a real situation
Load an example
What moves the result most
Worked out from your figures above. Tap a row to try it.
Who uses it, and when
Anyone starting to get finances in order, households with a new baby or mortgage and self-employed people whose income varies.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Counting discretionary spending in the target, which inflates it.
- Keeping the fund invested where a market dip coincides with the emergency.
- Never stopping: cash beyond the target is money not working for you.
Questions
What does the Emergency Fund Calculator do?
Work out how many months of expenses you should hold, how far you are from it, and when to stop saving cash and start investing.
How should I use the result?
A baseline of three months is adjusted for income stability, dependants and income protection, within a three-to-twelve-month range. The target is that many months of essential expenses. The gap and months to close it follow from what you have and can save.
Does TechBullion store the information I enter?
The core calculation or transformation runs in your browser. Normal website security and analytics may still record page-level events, but the tool does not need to create a public record from your inputs.
What mistakes do people make with an emergency fund calculator?
Counting discretionary spending in the target, which inflates it. Keeping the fund invested where a market dip coincides with the emergency. Never stopping: cash beyond the target is money not working for you.
Is the result guaranteed?
No. Use the result as a practical check or planning aid and verify important decisions with the relevant primary source, provider or professional advice.
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Results are estimates based on the figures entered, for general information only, and not financial, investment, tax or legal advice. See our terms of use.