The safety net that stops a surprise bill becoming a debt. Enter your monthly spending to see your target, the gap, and how long it takes to build.
Target emergency fund = your monthly essential spending × the months of cover you want.
The usual guidance is 3 to 6 months of essential spending, held in an easy-access account you can reach within a day or two. Lean toward six months (or more) if your income is unpredictable, you're self-employed, or you're the only earner in the household. Your essentials are the costs you couldn't switch off in a crisis: housing, council tax, utilities, food, insurance, transport and minimum debt payments. The time to build it is the gap to your target divided by what you can save each month.
Illustrative only. A rule of thumb, not a personal recommendation; the right size depends on your job security, dependants and fixed costs.
Illustrative only, not financial advice. The 3 to 6 month guideline is a rule of thumb; the right amount for you depends on your circumstances. Keep an emergency fund in accessible cash savings, not investments. Always do your own research or speak to a qualified adviser.
Build it faster with the take-home you free up, or grow spare cash with Compound Growth.