FIRE Calculator
Find out when you can achieve Financial Independence and Retire Early
Your Financial Details
Your FIRE Results
FIRE Variations
Coast FIRE
You need $131,000 saved now. Compound growth at 7% will grow it to your FIRE number by age 65.
Projected Savings Growth
Milestones
How the FIRE Calculator Works
1. FIRE Number
Your FIRE number is your annual expenses divided by your safe withdrawal rate. With the standard 4% rule: FIRE Number = Annual Expenses × 25. This is the portfolio size that can sustain your lifestyle indefinitely.
2. Years to FIRE
Based on your current savings, monthly contributions, and expected investment returns, we calculate how many years until your portfolio reaches your FIRE number using compound growth.
3. Savings Rate
Your savings rate is the single most important factor in reaching FIRE. It's calculated as: (Income - Expenses) / Income. A 50% savings rate means ~17 years to FIRE, while 75% means ~7 years.
4. Coast FIRE
Coast FIRE is the amount you need invested right now so compound growth alone reaches your FIRE number by a target age (e.g., 65). Once you hit Coast FIRE, you only need to cover current expenses.
Savings Rate vs. Years to FIRE
See how your savings rate dramatically affects your retirement timeline (assuming 7% annual returns):
| Savings Rate | Years to FIRE | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | 51 years | Standard retirement |
| 20% | 37 years | Traditional path |
| 30% | 28 years | Ahead of schedule |
| 40% | 22 years | On the fast track |
| 50% | 17 years | FIRE sweet spot |
| 60% | 12.5 years | Aggressive saver |
| 70% | 8.5 years | Extreme saver |
| 80% | 5.5 years | Ultra-lean lifestyle |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FIRE number?
Your FIRE number is the amount of money you need saved and invested to cover your annual expenses indefinitely. It is typically calculated as your annual expenses multiplied by 25 (based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate rule). For example, if you spend $40,000 per year, your FIRE number would be $1,000,000.
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule is a guideline from the Trinity Study suggesting that retirees can withdraw 4% of their portfolio in the first year of retirement and adjust for inflation each year after, with a very low chance of running out of money over a 30-year period. This is why FIRE number = Annual Expenses × 25 (since 1/0.04 = 25).
What is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE means you have enough money saved that, even without any additional contributions, compound growth alone will grow your investments to your FIRE number by a target retirement age (often 65). Once you reach Coast FIRE, you only need to earn enough to cover your current expenses — you no longer need to save for retirement.
What is the difference between Lean FIRE, FIRE, and Fat FIRE?
Lean FIRE means retiring on a minimal budget (typically under $40,000/year for a single person). Regular FIRE means retiring on a comfortable but moderate budget. Fat FIRE means retiring with a higher standard of living, typically requiring $100,000+ per year in spending. The right target depends on your lifestyle preferences.
How is the savings rate calculated?
Your savings rate is the percentage of your income that you save and invest. It is calculated as: Savings Rate = (Income - Expenses) / Income × 100. A higher savings rate dramatically reduces the time to reach FIRE. For example, a 50% savings rate can lead to retirement in roughly 17 years, while a 75% savings rate can cut it to about 7 years.
How long does it take to reach FIRE?
The time to reach FIRE depends primarily on your savings rate and investment returns. With a 20% savings rate and 7% returns, it takes about 37 years. At 50% savings rate, about 17 years. At 70% savings rate, about 8.5 years. The higher your savings rate, the faster you reach financial independence.
Should I use pre-tax or after-tax income?
This calculator uses after-tax (take-home) income for more accurate results. Your savings rate is more meaningful when calculated on money you actually have available to spend or save.
What investment return should I assume?
A commonly used figure is 7% per year, which reflects the historical average return of the U.S. stock market adjusted for inflation. If you want to be more conservative, use 5-6%. If you set your return rate as a real (inflation-adjusted) return, set the inflation rate to 0%.