FIRE Calculator

Find your financial-independence target and how many years of saving it takes to reach it — in today's dollars, using a return adjusted for inflation.

Your details

Current savings$Annual expenses$Annual savings$Annual return%Inflation rate%The projection uses your return net of inflation, so the years are in today's dollars.Withdrawal rate%4% is a common rule of thumb (25× expenses).

Your FIRE number

$1,000,000.00

Years to FIRE: 25
Real return (after inflation): 4.39%

Your FIRE number$1,000,000.00

Formula

FIRE number = annual expenses ÷ withdrawal rate (e.g. 25× at 4%). The projection runs on the real return, (1 + return) ÷ (1 + inflation) − 1, so the years reflect constant purchasing power.

Frequently asked questions

Why use a real (after-inflation) return?⌄

Because your expenses will rise with inflation too. Projecting in real terms keeps the FIRE number and the timeline in today's dollars, which is what actually matters for lifestyle.

Is the 4% rule safe?⌄

It's a widely-cited guideline based on historical US data, not a guarantee. Early retirees or those expecting lower future returns often use 3–3.5% for a larger safety margin.

Sources & methodology

Projects on a real return (return net of inflation) with expenses and savings level in today's dollars; the 4% rule is a guideline, not a guarantee.

•U.S. SEC — saving and investing — SEC

Last updated: 2026-07-20

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How Much Do You Need to Retire?Your number depends on your spending, not someone else's. How to estimate it — and why inflation matters.The 4% Rule ExplainedThe most cited rule of thumb in early retirement — where it comes from, what it assumes, and its limits.

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