Everyday numbers, solved
Calculate your emergency fund target from monthly expenses. See how much to save for 3-6 months of coverage.
Money
Find your emergency fund target from monthly expenses and see how fast you can build it.
Emergency fund target
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Guideline only. Most experts recommend 3-6 months of essential expenses; freelancers and single-income households often aim for 6-12 months.
How it works
Quick answer: With $3,000 of monthly expenses, a 6-month emergency fund is $18,000. Saving it over a year takes $1,500 a month.
Target = monthly essential expenses × months of coverage
Gap = target − already saved; monthly saving = gap ÷ 12Three months suits stable dual incomes; six or more suits single incomes, variable pay, or dependents.
$3,000 a month × 6 months = $18,000. Nothing saved yet, so saving over 12 months takes $1,500 a month.
| Months covered | Fund target | Monthly saving for 1 year | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | $9,000 | $750 | Open |
| 4 months | $12,000 | $1,000 | Open |
| 6 months | $18,000 | $1,500 | Open |
| 9 months | $27,000 | $2,250 | Open |
| 12 months | $36,000 | $3,000 | Open |
Most experts recommend 3-6 months of essential expenses; aim higher if your income is variable.
A high-yield savings account keeps it safe, liquid, and earning interest.
Somewhere safe and quick to reach, such as an FDIC-insured high-yield savings account.