Emergency Fund Goal Calculator

Financial experts recommend 3–6 months of expenses in an emergency fund. Calculate your target here.

What this calculator does

An emergency fund covers unexpected job loss, medical bills, car repairs or home emergencies.

When to use this calculator

Reach for this tool whenever a financial decision hinges on this type of calculation. Small differences in rate or term become large differences in total cost or return over multi-year horizons — differences that only become visible when you run the actual numbers.

Common mistakes

A frequent error is using annual rates where monthly rates are required (or vice versa). Simply dividing an annual rate by 12 is only an approximation — the correct conversion for compound calculations uses the (1 + r)^(1/12) − 1 formula.

Real-world scenarios

A first-time buyer models three scenarios before making an offer: 10%, 15%, and 20% deposit on a £280,000 property. The calculator shows exactly how the monthly payment and total interest cost change with each deposit level, making the decision visible rather than speculative.

Frequently asked questions

How much should I have in an emergency fund?

3–6 months of essential expenses. Self-employed or single-income: target 9–12 months.

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