Emergency Fund Calculator UK - How Much Should You Have Saved?

Essential spending per month

Rent or mortgage, bills, food, transport, insurance and minimum debt payments. Leave out anything you could stop paying.

Months of spending to cover

Three to six months is a common suggestion. You might choose more if your income varies or others depend on you.

Saved for emergencies so far (optional)

Amount you can add each month (optional)

Enter your essential monthly spending to see your target.

This is an illustration based on the numbers you enter, not financial advice. The time to reach your target ignores interest and assumes your spending doesn't change.

How much should an emergency fund be?

A common UK suggestion is three to six months of essential costs, for example in NS&I's emergency fund guide, which cites MoneyHelper. There's no single right figure, and it doesn't have to be your first goal if you're just starting out. A smaller cushion built now is better than a perfect one you never begin.

What counts as essential spending

Count what you'd have to keep paying if your income stopped: housing, utilities, food, transport to work, insurance, minimum debt payments and childcare. Leave out holidays, eating out and subscriptions you could cancel. Using essentials rather than your usual spending makes the target smaller and more realistic.

Where to keep it

Somewhere you can reach quickly without risking the value, such as an easy-access savings account. Compare the interest rate, and check how the account is protected before you choose.

Set it as a goal and watch it grow

Add your emergency savings in CeeWealth and keep them alongside the rest of your net worth. Free to start with no card needed. Goals with a projected finish date are part of Premium.

Get started free

Questions people actually ask.

A common UK suggestion is three to six months of essential costs. The right amount is personal, and some people aim for more if their income is irregular or others depend on them.

Essential spending is what you must keep paying if your income stopped, such as rent or mortgage, utilities, food, transport to work, insurance, minimum debt payments and childcare. Leave out holidays, eating out and subscriptions you could cancel.

Somewhere you can reach quickly without risking the value, such as an easy-access savings account. Check the interest rate and how the account is protected before you choose.