Emergency Fund Calculator

Calculate how much you need to save for financial security. Free and simple.

An emergency fund is money set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies. Financial experts recommend saving 3-6 months of essential expenses to protect yourself from:

  • Job loss or reduced income
  • Medical emergencies
  • Major car or home repairs
  • Unexpected family emergencies

Calculate Your Emergency Fund

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Include: rent, utilities, food, transportation, insurance, minimum debt payments

3 months = stable job | 6 months = recommended | 12 months = extra security

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$

Enter your monthly expenses above to calculate your emergency fund target

Why You Need an Emergency Fund

Life is unpredictable. Without an emergency fund, unexpected expenses can derail your finances and force you into debt. An emergency fund provides:

  • Financial security - Sleep better knowing you're prepared
  • Debt prevention - Avoid credit card debt during emergencies
  • Peace of mind - Reduce stress about money
  • Flexibility - Freedom to handle life's surprises

How Much Should You Save?

3 Months of Expenses

Best for:

  • Stable job with low risk of layoff
  • Dual-income households
  • Low monthly expenses
  • Good health insurance coverage

6 Months of Expenses

Best for:

  • Single-income households
  • Self-employed or freelancers
  • Jobs in volatile industries
  • High monthly expenses
  • Health concerns or chronic conditions

12 Months of Expenses

Best for:

  • Highly specialized careers (longer job search)
  • Seasonal or irregular income
  • Planning major life changes
  • Extra peace of mind

What Expenses to Include

✅ Essential Expenses (Include These)

  • • Housing (rent/mortgage)
  • • Utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet)
  • • Groceries and basic food
  • • Transportation (car payment, gas, insurance, public transit)
  • • Insurance (health, life, disability)
  • • Minimum debt payments
  • • Childcare or dependent care
  • • Essential medications

❌ Non-Essential Expenses (Exclude These)

  • • Dining out and takeout
  • • Entertainment and streaming services
  • • Gym memberships
  • • Shopping and hobbies
  • • Vacations
  • • Extra debt payments (beyond minimums)

How to Build Your Emergency Fund

Step 1: Start with $1,000

If you have debt, start with a mini emergency fund of $1,000. This covers most small emergencies while you focus on debt payoff.

Step 2: Automate Your Savings

Set up automatic transfers from checking to savings on payday. Even $50-100/month adds up quickly.

Step 3: Save Windfalls

Put tax refunds, bonuses, and unexpected money directly into your emergency fund.

Step 4: Keep It Accessible

Store your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account - separate from checking but easy to access when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I save for emergencies or pay off debt first?

Save $1,000 first, then focus on high-interest debt. Once debt is paid, build your full 3-6 month emergency fund.

Can I invest my emergency fund?

No. Emergency funds should be in cash (savings account) for immediate access. Investments can lose value when you need the money most.

What counts as an emergency?

True emergencies: job loss, medical bills, essential car/home repairs. NOT emergencies: sales, vacations, or wants. Be honest with yourself.

How long will it take to build my emergency fund?

It depends on how much you can save monthly. Use the calculator above to see your timeline. Most people take 6-24 months to build a full emergency fund.

Related Tools

Track Your Emergency Fund Progress with Vocash

Set savings goals and track your progress automatically with voice-powered expense tracking.

  • Set emergency fund savings goals
  • Track progress toward your target automatically
  • See exactly how much you're saving each month
  • Get alerts when you're off track