Emergency Fund Calculator — How Much Do You Really Need?
Determine the ideal emergency fund size based on your monthly expenses.
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Calculator Inputs
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Key Facts
Updated April 2026
- Recommended: 3-6 months of expenses in cash savings
- Self-employed: 9-12 months recommended
- High-yield savings accounts: 4.2-4.8% APY (2026)
- 40% of Americans cannot cover a $400 unexpected expense
- Average emergency: $1,000-$2,500 (car repair, medical bill)
Pro Tips
Keep your emergency fund in a separate high-yield savings account — not your checking. The separation prevents casual spending.
Build your emergency fund BEFORE aggressively paying off debt (unless debt rate is above 15%). Without cash reserves, any emergency puts you back into debt.
A fully-funded emergency fund earns $675-$900/year at 4.5% APY on $15,000. That is free money versus a 0.01% regular savings account.
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