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FIRE Calculator

Calculate when you can achieve financial independence and retire early (FIRE). Track your savings rate, projected retirement date, and progress toward FI.

Enter Your Details
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Your FIRE Number

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Full Results

Current Savings Rate

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Years to Financial Independence

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FI/RE Age

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Total Saved at FI

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Lean FIRE Number

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Coast FIRE Number

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Fat FIRE Number

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FIRE Targets Comparison
Lean vs Traditional vs Fat FIRE

What is FIRE Calculator?

A FIRE calculator helps you determine how much you need to save to achieve financial independence and retire early, based on your savings rate, expenses, and investment returns.

How It Works

It calculates your savings rate and projects how long it will take to reach your FIRE number—the amount of money needed to generate your desired retirement income indefinitely.

The Formula

FIRE Number = Annual Retirement Expenses / Safe Withdrawal Rate Years to FI = log((FIRE Number × r + P × (1+r)) / (P × (1+r) + S)) / log(1+r) Savings Rate = (Income - Expenses) / Income

Your FIRE number is the nest egg needed to generate your desired retirement income using the safe withdrawal rate. The calculator projects how long it will take to reach that number based on your savings rate and investment returns.

Examples

Example: $85,000 income, $45,000 expenses

25 years old, $30,000 saved, 7% returns, 4% withdrawal rate

At a 47% savings rate ($40,000/year saved), you need $1,000,000 (FIRE number) to generate $40,000/year at 4%. At 7% returns, you'll reach FI in 12.6 years, retiring at age 37. Lean FIRE: $750,000. Fat FIRE: $1,500,000.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓Clear path to early retirement
  • ✓Motivates higher savings rate
  • ✓Shows the power of frugality
  • ✓Multiple FIRE scenarios

Cons

  • ✗Assumes consistent returns
  • ✗Long-term projection uncertainty
  • ✗Doesn't account for sequence of returns risk
  • ✗Requires extreme discipline

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • !Underestimating healthcare costs
  • !Not accounting for sequence risk
  • !Using too high withdrawal rate
  • !Not planning for early retirement length

Expert Tips

  • ★Focus on savings rate, not investment returns
  • ★Build flexibility into your plan
  • ★Consider part-time work (Barista FIRE)
  • ★Have a plan for healthcare before 65

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FIRE movement?
FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. It's a lifestyle movement focused on saving aggressively (50-70% of income) to achieve financial independence and retire decades earlier than traditional retirement age.
What is the 4% rule in FIRE?
The 4% rule states you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in your first retirement year, adjusting for inflation annually, with a high probability of your money lasting 30 years. In FIRE, a 3-4% withdrawal rate is common for longer retirements.
What's the difference between Lean, Traditional, and Fat FIRE?
Lean FIRE means retiring on a minimal budget (under $40k/year for a couple). Traditional FIRE is moderate spending ($40-80k). Fat FIRE is high spending ($80k+). The approach is the same—the lifestyle differs.
How does savings rate affect retirement timeline?
Your savings rate is the most powerful lever in FIRE. Saving 10% takes 42 years to FI. 25% takes 28 years. 50% takes 14 years. 70% takes only 7 years. Each extra percentage of savings dramatically cuts your working years.

Related Calculators

Retirement

Plan your retirement with our free retirement calculator. See how much you need to save to retire comfortably and track your progress.

4% Rule

Calculate how much you can safely withdraw from your retirement portfolio using the 4% rule. See how different withdrawal rates affect portfolio longevity.

Withdrawal

Plan your retirement withdrawals. Calculate how much you can safely withdraw each month and how long your nest egg will last.

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