Emergency fund calculator
Work out your cash buffer and how long it could take to build.
Example plan · try your own numbers
Your projected balance
Enter your numbers to see the possibilities.
Progress & timeframe
Save, export & assumptions
Estimates only. Assumes unchanged rates, no withdrawals, tax or fees. Monthly approximation; your bank’s daily calculation and product rules may differ. Calculation details →
See the numbers behind the picture
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Questions about your savings?
Choose a question. Get a plain-English answer and a useful next step.
5 questions to explore.
Answers are written in advance. Your search stays in your browser.
SavingsWhat is compound interest?
When interest is added to your savings, that interest can earn interest too. The result depends on your balance, rate, time and deposits; a projection assumes the inputs hold.
Try the compound interest calculatorSavingsWill I always earn the advertised savings rate?
A bonus rate may depend on deposits, balance changes or other account conditions. A welcome rate lasts only for its stated period, so check the ongoing rate, fees and current provider terms as well.
Compare rate conditions in a worked exampleSavingsAre the bank rates on Howloop live?
The bank explorer uses dated snapshots of public product data. Check each product’s retrieval date and confirm the current offer with the provider; the listing does not assess whether you qualify.
Explore the dated savings productsSavingsHow much do I need to save each month?
Enter your target, starting savings and timeframe in the savings-goal calculator. It estimates the end-of-month contribution using a constant rate; try a lower rate too, and include costs that your target needs to cover.
For exampleAt zero interest, a hypothetical $6,000 gap over 12 months needs $500 each month.
Calculate a monthly savings goalSavingsHow do I set an emergency-fund target?
Add up essential monthly expenses and choose how many months you want covered. Use your own bills and income circumstances; the calculator’s example is a starting point for comparison, not a personal recommendation.
Build an emergency-fund estimateNo questions match this search. Try a shorter word, or choose Show all to see every question.
More examples & how the maths works
Your numbers, in real life
A buffer you can build one payday at a time.
Essential bills cost $3,000 a month. You choose a 3-month buffer, already have $2,000 set aside and can add $400 a month.
No interest assumed · no withdrawals
- Your chosen target
- $9,000
- Still to save
- $7,000
- Time to close the gap
- 18 months
$3,000 × 3 months.
Target less your dedicated savings.
Rounded up at $400 a month.
This is a target you choose, not a universal rule. Keep the buffer accessible and separate from money already needed for bills.
Constant essential expenses and contributions. Irregular income or an emergency withdrawal can change the timeline.
Choose the right expenses for your bufferA buffer for the things you can’t plan.
An emergency fund is money you can access when an urgent expense or interruption to income turns up. The right size depends on your essential expenses, income stability and other support available to you.
How the calculation works
We multiply your essential monthly expenses by your chosen number of months, subtract existing dedicated savings and divide the gap by your monthly contribution. The estimate rounds the saving time up to a whole month and excludes interest.
Common questions
A few good questions.
Which expenses should I include?
Start with housing, basic groceries, utilities, transport, insurance and minimum debt repayments. Convert annual bills to a monthly amount. Use your own records rather than a generic household average.
Is three months the right target for everyone?
No. Three months is a starting example, not a personal recommendation. Casual or variable income, dependants and a single-income household may change the buffer you choose.
What if I cannot contribute every month?
Set a realistic average and revisit it. At zero contributions, the tool shows the gap without inventing a completion date. Building any amount of buffer can still be useful.