Retirement
FIRE Calculator
Financial independence means having enough invested that work becomes optional. Your FIRE number is the nest egg whose safe withdrawals cover your spending — the 4% rule puts it at about 25× your annual expenses. Enter your numbers to see the target and your timeline.
A real (after-inflation) return keeps the target in today's dollars.
Your FIRE number
$1,000,000
The nest egg that funds your spending at a 4% withdrawal rate.
- Progress to FI
- 25%
- Time to financial independence
- 10 years 7 months
How much of your FIRE number you've already saved.
How this calculator works
FIRE number = annual expenses ÷ safe withdrawal rate (4% → 25×). Time to FI projects your current savings plus monthly contributions at the expected return until the balance reaches the target; progress is current savings ÷ FIRE number, capped at 100%.
This assumes level contributions, a constant return, and steady expenses. Real markets and sequence-of-returns risk matter enormously near retirement, and the 4% rule is a guideline, not a guarantee — treat the timeline as a planning estimate and revisit it as your numbers change.
Try an example
Frequently asked questions
What is a FIRE number?
Your FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) number is the amount you need invested so that safe withdrawals cover your living expenses indefinitely. Using the 4% rule, it's about 25 times your annual spending — spend $40,000 a year and your FIRE number is roughly $1 million, on top of any pension or Social Security.
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule says you can withdraw 4% of your starting portfolio in year one, adjust for inflation each year after, and the money has historically lasted at least 30 years in most market scenarios. Flip it around and 4% withdrawals require 25× your annual expenses. A lower rate (3–3.5%) is safer for very long or early retirements.
Should I use a real or nominal return?
Use a real (after-inflation) return — roughly your expected return minus about 3% — so the FIRE number and timeline stay in today's dollars. If you use a nominal return, your target should grow with inflation too. Keeping everything in real terms is simpler and avoids overstating your progress.
What are Coast FIRE and Barista FIRE?
Coast FIRE is having enough invested that, without adding another dollar, it will grow to your FIRE number by traditional retirement age — so you only need to cover current expenses. Barista FIRE is partial independence: enough savings that a part-time job (often for benefits) covers the gap. Both are milestones on the way to full FIRE.
Related calculators
Retirement Calculator
Project your retirement savings: what your balance could reach by retirement age and the monthly income it could sustainably provide.
Savings Rate Calculator
Find your savings rate — the share of your income you keep — and see what it means for financial independence. The single number that predicts how fast you build wealth.
How Long Will My Savings Last?
See how long your savings last when you withdraw a fixed amount each month while the balance keeps earning a return — and whether it ever runs out.
Investment Calculator
Project an investment portfolio's growth with monthly contributions — final value, your money vs market growth, and the year-by-year path.
Disclaimer: DayCents provides this calculator for educational purposes only. Results are estimates based on your inputs and the stated assumptions — they are not financial advice, a quote, or an offer of credit. Consult a qualified financial professional before making major money decisions.