FIRE Calculator
Calculate your FIRE number, years to financial independence, and safe withdrawal amount using the 4% rule.
Typical: 7% (real, inflation-adjusted S&P 500 avg)
FIRE Types — Which Is Right for You?
| Type | Annual Spend | FIRE Number (4%) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lean FIRE | $25,000 | $625,000 | Frugal minimalists, low-cost areas |
| Regular FIRE | $50,000 | $1,250,000 | Middle-class lifestyle, moderate spending |
| Fat FIRE | $100,000 | $2,500,000 | Comfortable or luxurious retirement |
| Barista FIRE | $30,000 passive + part-time | $750,000+ | Semi-retirement with part-time work |
| Coast FIRE | N/A — stop contributing | Varies by age | Let compounding do the work |
Savings Rate → Years to FIRE
Your savings rate is the single biggest lever. This table assumes a 7% real return and 4% SWR.
| Savings Rate | Years to FIRE | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | ~40 years | $5K saved / $45K spent |
| 20% | ~33 years | $10K saved / $40K spent |
| 30% | ~28 years | $15K saved / $35K spent |
| 40% | ~22 years | $20K saved / $30K spent |
| 50% | ~17 years | $25K saved / $25K spent |
| 60% | ~13 years | $30K saved / $20K spent |
| 70% | ~9 years | $35K saved / $15K spent |
| 80% | ~6 years | $40K saved / $10K spent |
Starting from $0. Higher savings rate means lower expenses, which also lowers your FIRE number — a double benefit.
What Is FIRE?
FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. The core idea: accumulate enough invested assets that you can live off the returns indefinitely — without needing to work for income.
The most common rule: the 4% Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR). Withdraw 4% of your portfolio per year and historically, the portfolio lasts 30+ years through all market conditions. This means your FIRE Number = Annual Expenses × 25.
Key FIRE Accounts
- 401(k) / 403(b) — pre-tax growth, employer match is free money
- Roth IRA — tax-free growth and withdrawals; $7,000/yr limit (2026)
- HSA — triple tax-advantaged; invest for future healthcare costs
- Taxable brokerage — no limits, flexible; use for early retirement bridge before 59½
How to Calculate Your FIRE Number — Step by Step
FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) is built on one formula: the 4% Rule. Here's how to find your exact target and timeline.
- 1Calculate your annual expenses. Track 3–6 months of spending and annualize it. Be honest — include travel, healthcare, and lifestyle inflation. Most FIRE practitioners use $40,000–$80,000/year as a baseline.
- 2Apply the 25× rule. FIRE Number = Annual Expenses × 25. This is equivalent to a 4% withdrawal rate. At $50,000/year spending: FIRE Number = $1,250,000.
- 3Calculate your savings rate. Savings Rate = (Income − Expenses) ÷ Income. A 50% savings rate gets you to FIRE in ~17 years; 70% savings rate in ~8.5 years. This is the most powerful lever.
- 4Project portfolio growth. Use 7% real return (inflation-adjusted S&P 500 historical average). With current savings and monthly contributions, solve for years to reach FIRE Number using FV formula.
- 5Stress-test with a lower withdrawal rate. Use 3.5% (28.6× expenses) for longer retirements (40+ years) or uncertainty. The 4% rule was validated for 30-year retirements — early retirees need a larger buffer.
FIRE Number by Annual Spending
| Annual Spending | FIRE Number (4%) | Conservative (3.5%) | Lean FIRE (3%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $750,000 | $857,000 | $1,000,000 |
| $40,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,143,000 | $1,333,000 |
| $50,000 | $1,250,000 | $1,429,000 | $1,667,000 |
| $60,000 | $1,500,000 | $1,714,000 | $2,000,000 |
| $80,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,286,000 | $2,667,000 |
| $100,000 | $2,500,000 | $2,857,000 | $3,333,000 |
Years to FIRE by Savings Rate
Assuming 7% real return on investments, starting from $0:
| Savings Rate | Years to FIRE | Start at 25 → Retire at |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | 43 years | 68 (traditional) |
| 20% | 37 years | 62 |
| 30% | 28 years | 53 |
| 40% | 22 years | 47 |
| 50% | 17 years | 42 |
| 60% | 12.5 years | 37.5 |
| 70% | 8.5 years | 33.5 |