Emergency Fund Calculator
Updated 20 August 2026
Work out how large your safety net should be, how far you already are, and how much to save each month to close the gap.
Open the Live Emergency Fund Calculator →Frequently asked questions
What is an emergency fund calculator?
It estimates how large your financial safety net should be, based on your essential monthly expenses and how many months of cover you want, then shows the gap between that target and what you've already saved.
How many months of expenses should I save?
A common guideline is 3–6 months of essential expenses for salaried employees with stable income, and 6–12 months for freelancers, business owners, or single-income households where income is less predictable.
What counts as 'essential' monthly expenses?
Rent or EMI, groceries, utilities, insurance premiums, school fees, and other non-negotiable costs. Discretionary spending like dining out, entertainment, or vacations is usually excluded, since an emergency fund is meant to cover survival, not lifestyle.
Where should I actually keep this money?
In a savings bank account or a liquid mutual fund — something you can access within a day or two without penalty. It shouldn't be locked in a fixed deposit with an early-withdrawal penalty or invested in equity, where the value could be down exactly when you need it.