Emergency Fund Calculator (how many months would my savings last?)

How it works

Months your savings would last = emergency savings ÷ (essential monthly costs − any income that would continue). The target is the number of months you choose × essential monthly costs — what it costs you to get by, not your salary. Months to reach the target = the amount still needed ÷ what you can add each month, rounded up. “—” means the savings would never run out (other income covers the costs) or nothing is being added.

⚠ Estimates for information only — not financial advice.

FAQ

Should it be 3 or 6 months?

Closer to 3 months if your job is secure and your household has two incomes; 6 months or more if you are self-employed, have one income, dependants or an unpredictable job.

Where should I keep it?

Somewhere safe and easy to reach without penalties, such as a savings or parking account — not in shares that might be down just when you need the money.

Checked 11 Nov 2026. Purdue University Extension fact sheet “Preparing for the Unexpected with an Emergency Fund” (resource: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), updated Jan 2025: “between three and six months of living expenses”.