CalcWise Pro

Emergency Fund & Runway Estimator

Know exactly how much cash cushion you need.

Open the Interactive Calculator

How It's Calculated

Target Fund = Essential Monthly Expenses × N months, where N (3, 6, or 9) is chosen based on income stability.

Example

Example: $3,500/month in essential expenses with a moderate stability score of 5 suggests a 6-month, $21,000 emergency fund target.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do stability scores change the recommendation?

Workers with variable income (commission, freelance, single-earner households) face higher risk of income gaps and should hold larger reserves.

Should my emergency fund include all expenses or just essentials?

Essentials only — housing, food, utilities, insurance, and minimum debt payments — not discretionary spending.

Try the Emergency Fund & Runway Estimator Now