Emergency Fund Runway Calculator
Find how many months your cash can cover an income shortfall. Account for essential expenses, remaining income and a protected reserve.
Before you calculate
Uses flat monthly expenses and income with no interest, inflation or unexpected one-off bills. Only include money you can access when needed. If income covers expenses, there is no drawdown in this model; this does not remove the risk of emergencies.
How long can my savings cover an income gap?
Your cash runway depends on the monthly shortfall, not simply your total spending. Subtract reliable remaining income from essential expenses, then divide usable savings by that gap. A protected reserve is excluded from the money you plan to spend.
Runway = (accessible savings − protected reserve) ÷ (expenses − remaining income)
Worked example
With $15,000 saved, a $3,000 protected reserve and a $2,000 monthly shortfall, usable cash is $12,000 and runway is 6 months.
Assumptions and limits
Uses flat monthly expenses and income with no interest, inflation or unexpected one-off bills. Only include money you can access when needed. If income covers expenses, there is no drawdown in this model; this does not remove the risk of emergencies.
How to interpret MoneyCalc estimatesFrequently asked questions
Why subtract remaining income?
Part-time earnings or another dependable income source can cover part of your spending. Enter take-home amounts and leave uncertain payments out of a conservative scenario.
Is six months always the right target?
No. The six-month figure is a comparison scenario, not a universal recommendation. Job stability, dependants, insurance and access to other resources affect your needs.
Further reading
Background resources; these organizations do not endorse this calculator.
Sources & calculation notes
Maintained by MoneyCalc. Results are estimates based on the inputs and assumptions shown, not personalized financial advice or a lender quote. Default rates are examples unless a specific tax year or official table is identified.
References explain the underlying concepts or rules. They do not endorse or independently certify this implementation.
Calculations run in your browser. Some tools retain settings on this device. Displayed rounding can produce small differences from a statement or contract.