FIRE Calculator
"Financial independence" sounds abstract until it's reduced to one number — the portfolio size that lets your investments cover your living costs indefinitely, without a paycheck. This calculator finds that number for your actual spending, and estimates how many years away it is at your current savings rate.
Enter your details to see your FIRE target.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your expected annual expenses once retired.
- Enter your current investable savings and monthly savings rate.
- Adjust the safe withdrawal rate if you want to be more conservative than the standard 4% rule.
- Click "Calculate my FIRE number" to see your target and estimated timeline.
How the calculation works
Your FIRE number is simply your annual expenses divided by your safe withdrawal rate — at the standard 4% rate, that's the same as multiplying annual expenses by 25. The logic: if a 4% annual withdrawal has historically sustained a diversified portfolio for 30+ years, then a portfolio 25 times your yearly spending should support you indefinitely. The "years to FIRE" figure then works backward from your current savings and monthly contributions, using the same compound growth math as the other savings calculators on this site, to estimate how long it takes to reach that target.
A worked example
Say your expected annual expenses in retirement are $48,000. At the standard 4% withdrawal rate, your FIRE number is $48,000 × 25 = $1,200,000. If you currently have $150,000 invested, save $2,000 a month, and expect a 7% return, reaching that number takes roughly 18-19 years — versus well over 25 years at half the monthly savings rate. Lower the withdrawal rate to a more conservative 3.5% instead, and the same $48,000 in expenses raises your target to about $1,371,000, extending the timeline further.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the 4% rule come from?
It originates from historical U.S. market studies (the "Trinity Study") suggesting a 4% initial withdrawal, adjusted for inflation, has historically lasted 30+ years in most market conditions. It is a guideline, not a guarantee.
Should I use a lower withdrawal rate?
Many people planning a longer retirement (especially early retirees) use 3-3.5% for a larger safety margin — try adjusting the rate to see how it changes your FIRE number.
Does this include Social Security?
No — this is a pure savings-based FIRE number. If you expect Social Security income, you could reduce your annual expenses figure by that amount for a more complete picture.
What are Lean, Regular, and Fat FIRE?
These describe different lifestyle targets: Lean FIRE uses a leaner expense estimate (around 70% of current spending), Regular FIRE uses your actual expected expenses, and Fat FIRE targets a more comfortable lifestyle (around 150%). Adjust your annual expenses input to model any of them.
What is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE is the point where your current savings alone, left to grow untouched, will reach your retirement number by a normal retirement age — even if you stop actively contributing. It's a different milestone than full FIRE, which this calculator targets directly.