💰 Finance

FIRE Calculator 2026 — Financial Independence Retire Early

Calculate your FIRE number, years to financial independence, Coast FIRE milestone, and monthly savings needed to retire early. Supports Lean FIRE, Fat FIRE, and Barista FIRE via adjustable withdrawal rate.

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FIRE Number
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Projected at Target Age
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Years to FIRE
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FIRE Age
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Coast FIRE Number
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Monthly Savings Needed
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Savings Rate

How It Works

Your FIRE number equals annual retirement expenses ÷ safe withdrawal rate. At 4% SWR that is 25× expenses. The calculator compounds your savings and contributions forward at your expected return, then shows when your portfolio crosses that threshold — plus a Coast FIRE figure and the monthly savings needed to hit your chosen retirement age.
  1. FIRE Number = Annual expenses ÷ SWR. The 4% rule means 25× expenses; 3.5% means ~28.6× for early retirements spanning 40–60 years.
  2. Projected savings applies compound growth to your existing portfolio plus annual contributions over the years remaining to your target age.
  3. Years to FIRE solves the compound growth equation — at your current savings pace, exactly when your portfolio hits the FIRE number.
  4. Coast FIRE is the lump sum needed today that, with growth alone and zero further contributions, reaches your FIRE number by your target age.
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Understanding FIRE: Financial Independence, Retire Early

The FIRE movement is built on one core insight: by aggressively saving and investing a high percentage of income — typically 40–70% — you can compress a 40-year working career into 10–15 years. Once your investment portfolio generates enough passive income to cover your annual expenses indefinitely, you achieve financial independence. You do not have to stop working, but the choice becomes entirely yours.

For informational purposes only. Investment returns are not guaranteed. Projections assume constant rates that will not reflect reality. Consult a qualified financial adviser before making major retirement or investment decisions.

The 4% Rule and Safe Withdrawal Rates

The 4% rule originates from the 1994 Trinity Study, which found that a 4% annual withdrawal from a 60/40 stocks-bonds portfolio survived a 30-year retirement in 95%+ of historical scenarios. For early retirees with retirements of 40–60 years, most FIRE practitioners use a more conservative 3%–3.5% SWR. The rule of 25 (FIRE number = 25× expenses) is the 4% rule expressed as a target portfolio size. You can lower the SWR in this calculator to 3.5% or 3% for a more conservative plan — this raises your FIRE number but significantly reduces sequence-of-returns risk.

Coast FIRE: The First Major Milestone

Coast FIRE is the portfolio value you need today such that compound growth alone — with no further contributions — will reach your full FIRE number by your target retirement age. Reaching Coast FIRE means your future retirement is financially secured; you only need to earn enough to cover current expenses. Many people find the Coast FIRE figure a psychologically achievable near-term target that dramatically reduces financial pressure before full FIRE is reached.

FIRE Variants: Lean, Barista, and Fat

Lean FIRE targets a frugal lifestyle (typically under $40,000/year), requiring a smaller portfolio and faster accumulation. Fat FIRE targets a comfortable retirement ($100,000+/year), demanding a larger portfolio but allowing lifestyle flexibility. Barista FIRE — also called Semi-FIRE — means achieving partial financial independence while working part-time; the part-time income covers day-to-day expenses while the portfolio continues to grow untouched. This calculator handles all variants: just adjust annual retirement expenses and SWR to match your target lifestyle.

Savings Rate Is the Primary Lever

The most powerful variable in FIRE planning is not investment return — it is savings rate. A 10% savings rate implies roughly 43 years to FIRE; a 50% rate cuts it to ~17 years; a 70% rate reaches FIRE in about 10 years. Income matters, but keeping expenses low enough to maintain a high savings rate regardless of income level is what separates those who reach FIRE quickly from those who fall into lifestyle inflation. Pair this calculator with our Savings Goal Calculator for specific targets, or the Compound Interest Calculator to explore portfolio growth scenarios in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FIRE number?
Your FIRE number is the total investment portfolio you need to retire early. It equals your expected annual expenses divided by your safe withdrawal rate (SWR). With a 4% SWR the FIRE number is 25× annual expenses — e.g., $40,000/year spending requires a $1,000,000 portfolio.
Is the 4% rule safe for early retirement?
The 4% rule was designed for a 30-year retirement. For early retirees targeting 40–60 year retirements, a 3%–3.5% SWR is often recommended. You can adjust the SWR in this calculator to model a more conservative withdrawal strategy.
What is Coast FIRE?
Coast FIRE is the lump sum you need invested today so that — with compound growth alone and no further contributions — your portfolio reaches your full FIRE number by your target retirement age. Once you hit your Coast FIRE number you only need to cover current living expenses.
What is the difference between Lean FIRE, Barista FIRE, and Fat FIRE?
Lean FIRE targets frugal retirement spending (typically under $40,000/year). Fat FIRE targets a comfortable lifestyle ($80,000–$150,000+/year). Barista FIRE means reaching partial financial independence and working part-time to cover remaining expenses, requiring a much smaller full portfolio. Change the annual retirement expenses input to model any variant.
What annual return should I use for FIRE planning?
The US stock market has historically returned ~10% nominally. Most FIRE planners use 7% nominal (a rough inflation-adjusted figure) or 4–5% real return. Conservative planners use 5–6%. The default is 7% — adjust based on your asset allocation and risk tolerance.
Does this FIRE calculator account for inflation?
This calculator uses nominal values throughout. To work in real (inflation-adjusted) terms, reduce your expected return by your expected inflation rate — e.g., enter 4% return instead of 7% if you expect 3% inflation. Alternatively, enter retirement expenses in today's dollars and use a real return assumption.

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