FIRE Calculator - Financial Independence Retire Early
Calculate your FIRE number, years to financial independence, and safe withdrawal rate. Plan your path to retiring early with the 4% rule.
Last updated: April 2026
These become your retirement expenses
Auto-calculated from income − expenses; editable
Classic: 4% (Trinity Study)
FIRE Number
$0
25× annual expenses
Years to FIRE
0
Retirement Age
0
Monthly at FIRE
$0
Current Progress
0.0%
0.0% of your FIRE number saved
| Milestone | Year | Age | Portfolio | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25% of FIRE | — | — | — | 25% |
| 50% of FIRE | — | — | — | 50% |
| 75% of FIRE | — | — | — | 75% |
| 100% of FIRE | — | — | — | 100% |
What is FIRE?
FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. The movement is based on the idea that by saving aggressively and investing wisely, you can accumulate enough wealth to live off investment returns indefinitely and retire far earlier than the traditional age.
The core concept is the 4% rule: if you withdraw 4% of your portfolio each year, it should last 30 years or more based on historical market returns. Your FIRE number is 25 times your annual expenses.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter annual expenses — Input how much you expect to spend per year in retirement.
- 2Enter current savings — Add your existing investment portfolio or savings balance.
- 3Enter monthly savings — Input how much you save and invest each month.
- 4Set expected return — Choose your expected annual investment return rate.
Formula & example
FIRE Number = Annual Expenses x 25 | Safe Withdrawal = Portfolio x 4%
Example: Annual expenses of 40,000. FIRE number = 40,000 x 25 = 1,000,000. Saving 2,000 per month at 7% annual return, you reach FIRE in approximately 22 years.
Benefits
Know your FIRE number
Get a clear target: the exact portfolio size that makes you financially independent.
Track your progress
See how far you are from FIRE and how many years remain at your current savings rate.
Test different scenarios
Adjust your savings rate or expenses to see how they change your retirement date.
4% rule built in
The calculator uses the research-backed 4% safe withdrawal rate as its foundation.
Use cases
Aggressive savers
High earners saving 50-70% of income can see how quickly they can reach FIRE.
Lean FIRE planning
Model a frugal retirement lifestyle with low annual expenses.
Fat FIRE planning
Plan for a comfortable retirement with higher spending in financial independence.
Coast FIRE check
Calculate whether your current savings, left to grow, will reach your FIRE number without further contributions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 4% rule?+
The 4% rule states that you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in the first year of retirement, then adjust for inflation each year, with a high probability that your portfolio will last 30 years. It is based on the Trinity Study of historical US market data.
What is a good FIRE savings rate?+
Most FIRE practitioners save 25-70% of their income. A 50% savings rate typically leads to financial independence in around 17 years from zero. A 70% savings rate can achieve FIRE in under 10 years.
What is the difference between Lean FIRE and Fat FIRE?+
Lean FIRE targets a minimal lifestyle with annual expenses below 40,000. Fat FIRE targets a comfortable or affluent retirement with higher annual spending. Barista FIRE involves partial retirement with some part-time work to cover expenses.
Does the FIRE number change with inflation?+
Yes. Your FIRE number should be expressed in today's dollars. If you plan to retire in 20 years, you need to adjust your target upward for inflation, or assume your investments will grow in real terms after inflation.
Is the 4% rule still valid?+
The 4% rule was based on a 30-year retirement. For very early retirees with 40-50 year horizons, many financial planners suggest a lower withdrawal rate of 3% to 3.5% for greater safety.