Emergency fund calculator
How big your safety net should be before you invest a rupee.
Quick answer
An emergency fund calculator sets your target at 3–12 months of essential monthly expenses. Salaried employees aim for 6 months; freelancers and single earners should target 9–12 months in a savings account or liquid fund.
Your emergency fund target
6 months of essential expenses — the buffer that lets you take risks everywhere else.
- 3-month minimum
- ₹90,000
- 12-month (freelancer) target
- ₹3,60,000
Keep this in a savings account or liquid fund — boring and instant, never locked or invested in stocks.
Rates & rules checked on 15 June 2026 · based on FY 2025-26 (AY 2026-27).
What this tells you
An emergency fund is 3–12 months of essential expenses kept somewhere boring and instant. It's the foundation that lets you invest for growth without panic-selling when life happens.
How it's calculated
Target = essential monthly expenses × months of cushion. Salaried with stable jobs can aim for 6 months; freelancers and single earners should lean toward 9–12.
Common questions
- Where should I keep my emergency fund?
- A high-interest savings account or a liquid mutual fund — instant access, near-zero risk. Never in equity, and never locked in an FD you'd pay a penalty to break.
- Build the emergency fund or invest first?
- Emergency fund first, at least a 3-month starter. Investing without a buffer means you sell at the worst time when an emergency hits.