FIRE Number Calculator
Calculate your Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) number and see how many years until you reach financial freedom.
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How to use the FIRE Calculator
Enter your annual expenses
Input how much you spend per year. This determines the baseline for your FIRE number calculation.
Set your safe withdrawal rate
The default is 4% (the classic Trinity Study rule). Adjust lower for more conservative planning or higher if you have other income sources.
Enter your current savings and monthly contribution
Input your existing investment portfolio balance and how much you save each month toward financial independence.
Set your expected annual return
The default 7% approximates historical stock market returns after inflation. Adjust based on your investment strategy and risk tolerance.
Review your FIRE number and timeline
See your target FIRE number, how many years until you reach it, and a visual projection chart showing your savings growth over time.
Use cases
Standard FIRE planning
"A couple spending $50,000/year with $100,000 saved, contributing $3,000/month at 7% return, targeting a $1,250,000 FIRE number."
Lean FIRE lifestyle
"A minimalist spending $25,000/year can reach FIRE with just $625,000, dramatically reducing the years needed to retire early."
Fat FIRE ambitions
"A high earner spending $120,000/year needs $3,000,000 at a 4% withdrawal rate, but their higher savings rate can accelerate the timeline."
Coast FIRE scenario
"Check if your current savings, without any new contributions, will grow enough by traditional retirement age to cover your expenses."
Compare withdrawal rates
"See how switching from a 4% to a 3.5% withdrawal rate affects your FIRE number and timeline for added safety margin."
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Frequently Asked Questions
?What is the FIRE number?
Your FIRE number is the amount of money you need invested to cover your annual expenses indefinitely. It's calculated by dividing your annual expenses by your safe withdrawal rate (e.g., $40,000 / 4% = $1,000,000).
?What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule comes from the Trinity Study, which found that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio annually (adjusted for inflation) has historically sustained a portfolio for at least 30 years. It's the most commonly used safe withdrawal rate in FIRE planning.
?What is a realistic expected return rate?
Historically, the US stock market has returned about 10% nominally or 7% after inflation. A 7% return is commonly used for long-term planning, though more conservative estimates of 5-6% may be prudent.
?What's the difference between Lean FIRE, FIRE, and Fat FIRE?
Lean FIRE means retiring with minimal expenses (under $40k/year), standard FIRE targets middle-class spending ($40-100k/year), and Fat FIRE aims for a luxurious retirement (over $100k/year). The calculator works for all scenarios.
?Does this calculator account for inflation?
If you use a real (inflation-adjusted) return rate like 7%, your results are already in today's dollars. If you use a nominal rate like 10%, your FIRE number should also be adjusted upward for inflation.
?What is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE is when you have enough saved that, even without additional contributions, compound growth will bring you to your FIRE number by traditional retirement age. Set monthly contribution to $0 to model this scenario.
?Is this FIRE calculator free and private?
Yes, completely. The calculator runs entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server, no registration is required, and there are no ads or paywalls.
?Can I trust the results for real retirement planning?
This calculator provides a solid estimate based on constant returns and contributions. Real-world results vary due to market volatility, tax implications, and life changes. Use it as a starting point and consult a financial advisor for comprehensive planning.