Emergency fund calculator
Enter your essential monthly spending and how many months of cover you want. We'll show the pot to aim for.
Your numbers
Rent/mortgage, bills, food, insurance, minimum debt payments and transport.
Target emergency fund
£5,600
£1,400 × 4 months
Three months is a common starting target; six is more usual if income is uneven or you're the only earner in the household.
Why an emergency fund comes first
An emergency fund is what turns a boiler breaking down or a job ending from a crisis into an inconvenience. Without one, an unexpected cost often ends up on a credit card at a much higher interest rate than any savings account pays.
Worked example: if your essential monthly spend is £1,400 and you want four months of cover, you're aiming for £5,600 — build it gradually with a standing order the day you're paid, before the money has a chance to be spent elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
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These tools give a general illustration only. They are not personalised financial advice and are not FCA-regulated — always check current rates and rules before making a decision.