Survival Runway Calculator

A financial runway (or 'survival runway') calculator answers a critical question: if your income stopped tomorrow, how many months could you cover your essential expenses with current savings? It's the foundation of financial security — most personal finance experts recommend 3–6 months of essential expenses in cash, with 12+ months for self-employed, single-income households, or anyone with a high-volatility career.

Enter your liquid savings (cash and easily-sellable investments), then your true essential monthly spend — rent or mortgage, food, utilities, insurance, minimum debt payments, transport. Don't include eating out, subscriptions you'd cancel, or vacation. The calculator returns your runway in months and a target savings amount for 3, 6, and 12 months of coverage.

Three months of essential expenses is the absolute floor for dual-income households with stable jobs. Six months is the standard recommendation. Twelve+ months is appropriate if you're self-employed, in a volatile industry, the sole earner, have dependents, or own your business. Keep it in a high-yield savings account or short-term treasuries — not in the stock market and not in your checking account.