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Emergency fund planner

Build a few coverage scenarios from the expenses you would keep paying during a disruption. There is no universal target; use the result to compare assumptions, not to receive a recommendation.

Step 1

Set your assumptions

Ready

Use monthly estimates. These values stay in your browser and are not saved or sent anywhere.

Essential monthly expenses

Include costs you would still need to cover. Leave a category at $0 when it does not apply.

Rent, mortgage, or required housing costs

Electricity, water, phone, and internet

Food and household basics

Fuel, transit, and required payments

Health, auto, home, or other premiums

Required payments, not extra payoff

Regular out-of-pocket costs

Required care costs

Other costs you would keep in a disruption

Savings plan

Cash already set aside for emergencies

Amount added at the end of each month

Used only to illustrate modeled interest

Compare this target with the options below

Add a date to show an estimated target date

Method note: based on the CFPB emergency fund guide. The guide discusses factors to consider rather than one required dollar target.

Step 2 / selected scenario

Target for 6 months

$25,200

Monthly essentials: $4,200 · current coverage: 1.4 months

Amount to build$19,200
Estimated time39 months
Estimated target dateAdd a start date

Compare coverage scenarios

Each option uses the same essential monthly expense estimate.

How the estimate gets there

Contributions are added monthly; modeled interest is separate.

Starting savings$6,000
Future contributions$19,500
Modeled interest$0
Modeled balance$25,500
Read assumptions and limitations

Interest is converted from the optional APY to an equivalent monthly rate. The model applies interest to the opening balance and adds your contribution at month-end. It simulates up to 1,200 months and reports an unreachable state if the selected target is not reached.

This educational estimate does not model taxes, fees, inflation, changing expenses, withdrawals, account limits, or changing rates. The CFPB notes that the right emergency savings amount depends on a person's situation. This tool is not financial advice.

Read the CFPB guide to building an emergency fund.

Emergency fund questions

How many months of expenses should an emergency fund cover?

There is no single coverage period that fits everyone. Choose a scenario based on your expenses, income stability, household needs, and access to other resources, then compare more than one case.

Does this planner recommend a savings account or rate?

No. Any APY is a user-entered scenario assumption. Actual account rates, taxes, fees, and withdrawal terms can differ.