Estimate your FIRE number and years to financial independence.
Please do not make financial decisions based on these results.
What is the FIRE Calculator – Financial Independence, Retire Early?
Estimate your FIRE number and years to financial independence. To use the FIRE Calculator – Financial Independence, Retire Early, enter annual spending, withdrawal rate, current savings, yearly savings, real return; it returns fire number, years to fire, savings rate needed (of spending+savings), and shows them instantly as you type.
Where the FIRE Calculator – Financial Independence, Retire Early fits
Estimate your FIRE number and years to financial independence. The main figure it returns is the FIRE number, worked out from the values you enter.
It belongs with the other budget & planning tools. If you are comparing options or checking a result from another angle, try the Car Depreciation Calculator, Sabbatical Calculator or the Powerball Calculator.
How to use the FIRE Calculator – Financial Independence, Retire Early
- Enter your numbers. The inputs are Annual spending ($), Withdrawal rate (%), Current savings ($), Yearly savings ($), Real return (%). Start with your real monthly figures, even if they are rounded. Fields marked optional can stay at zero.
- Read the result. The highlighted box gives the FIRE number, and the cards below show Years to FIRE, Savings rate needed (of spending+savings). Tables and charts break it down further.
- Test other scenarios. Results update as you type. Change one value at a time to see what drives the answer, and press Reset to go back to the defaults.
Formula and how it works
Example with real numbers
Here is the FIRE Calculator – Financial Independence, Retire Early using the default values shown in the calculator above:
Inputs
| Annual spending ($) | 48,000 |
|---|---|
| Withdrawal rate (%) | 4 |
| Current savings ($) | 120,000 |
| Yearly savings ($) | 30,000 |
| Real return (%) | 5 |
Results
| FIRE number | $1,200,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Years to FIRE | 19 |
| Savings rate needed (of spending+savings) | 38.46% |
With these inputs the calculator returns FIRE number: $1,200,000.00. Change any value in the calculator to see how the result moves.
What if you change one input?
Sensitivity check: raising Annual spending ($) from 48,000 to 57,600 (about 20% higher) and leaving everything else as in the example above changes the results like this:
| Result | Example | After the change | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIRE number | $1,200,000.00 | $1,440,000.00 | +20% |
| Years to FIRE | 19 | 22 | +15.8% |
| Savings rate needed (of spending+savings) | 38.46% | 34.25% | -11% |
The input that moves the result most is the one to check twice. Change it in the calculator above to test your own case.
What the results tell you
The results panel of the FIRE Calculator – Financial Independence, Retire Early reports FIRE number, years to fire and savings rate needed (of spending+savings). Compare these figures while changing one input at a time, and use the related calculators below to look at the same situation from another angle.
Method and limits. This calculator applies the formula in the section above to your inputs, in your browser; nothing you enter is stored on our servers. Results are only as good as the figures you enter; use real recent numbers. It is for information, not financial, tax or legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 4% rule?
A retiree can withdraw 4% of the starting portfolio each year, adjusted for inflation, with a high chance of lasting 30 years.
Can I switch between monthly and yearly?
Yes. Amount fields on this calculator can be switched between a per-month and a per-year figure, so enter whichever you know.
How do I start a budget?
List your take-home income, list every regular expense, and compare. Adjust until spending is below income with room for savings.
Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results depend entirely on the numbers you enter and the formulas shown on this page. Please do not make financial decisions based on them alone; confirm important figures with a licensed professional.
Related budget & planning calculators
- Car Depreciation Calculator
- Sabbatical Calculator
- Powerball Calculator
- Mega Millions Payout Calculator
- Scrap Gold Calculator
- Scrap Silver Calculator
- Unpaid Work Calculator
- Budget Planner (50/30/20)
- Budget Calculator
- Cost of Living Adjuster
- Net Worth Calculator
- Emergency Fund Calculator
All Budget & Planning calculators →