FIRE Number Calculator
Financial independence means having enough invested that the returns cover your spending — you work because you want to, not because you have to. Calculate your "number" and how long it takes to get there.
Your numbers
Result
- Annual expensesmonthly × 12
- $48,000.00
- Still needed
- $1,150,000.00
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual expenses | $48000 |
| FIRE number | $1200000 |
| Still needed | $1150000 |
| Time to reach it | 20 years |
How to find your number
Your FIRE number is the nest egg whose withdrawals cover your spending: number = annual expenses ÷ withdrawal rate. At $4,000 a month ($48,000 a year) and a 4% withdrawal rate, the number is $1,200,000. Withdraw only that share each year and the principal can, in theory, last indefinitely.
The 4% rule and 25× expenses
A popular shortcut is the 4% rule: save 25× your annual expenses and withdraw 4% a year. That is the same as a 4% withdrawal rate. More conservative rates (3–3.5%) survive bad markets better; higher rates raise the risk of running out. Adjust the rate to your comfort.
How long it takes
With monthly investing growing at the real return you enter, the calculator projects how many years your current investments plus contributions reach the target. Investing more or spending less shortens the path dramatically — the savings rate matters more than the return. Use a real return (above inflation); this is an educational estimate.
Informational and educational result. Not a substitute for professional advice.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
- The 4% rule / Trinity Study (concept)
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