Emergency fund calculator

Choose the costs and months.

Start with the monthly expenses you would still need to cover during a financial shock. That may be different from your normal spending total. Then choose the period of cover that makes sense for the scenario you are planning for.

A target is a planning decision, not a universal requirement. You can use the calculator to compare a smaller first milestone with a larger longer-term goal.

Subtract the buffer you already have.

Include money genuinely available for emergencies. Leave out amounts already needed for a known bill, a committed purchase or another purpose. If existing emergency savings meet the target, the gap is zero.

Read the timeline as an estimate.

The calculator rounds the number of contributions up to a whole month. If the monthly contribution is zero and there is a gap, it cannot estimate a completion date. Add an affordable contribution to see a timeline.

Interest, unexpected withdrawals and changing contributions affect real progress. The result does not assume an account rate or recommend a provider.

Keep the target connected to your circumstances.

Building a buffer should be considered alongside essential payments and debts. If saving this amount would cause you to miss necessary payments, revisit the contribution and get appropriate guidance.

Recheck the target after a change in housing costs, work or household responsibilities. A fund that suited last year can still need adjusting this year.