FIRE Calculator

What Our FIRE Calculator Does

Our calculator projects your net invested balance to your target age, then classifies your FIRE type based on your planned retirement spending. It shows whether you are on track for Lean FIRE, Coast FIRE, Barista FIRE, Standard FIRE or Fat FIRE.

You also get your target portfolio, projected portfolio, years to target age, inflated spending at retirement and an estimated FI age. A chart visualizes progress over time and you can download a CSV of your results.

How to use our FIRE Calculator

1) Enter your numbers
Annual income, annual expenses, total debt, current portfolio, current age, target retirement age and your desired monthly spend in retirement.

2) Set assumptions
Expected annual return, inflation and safe withdrawal rate. Defaults are 7 percent return, 3 percent inflation and a 4 percent withdrawal rate to match common planning conventions.

3) Advanced benchmarks
Optionally set Lean FIRE and Fat FIRE annual spending benchmarks for clearer classification.

4) Calculate
The calculator projects your balance with annual savings and market growth, then compares it to the inflation adjusted portfolio required to support your spending at retirement.

5) Review your results

• FIRE type badge
• Target at retirement
• Projected at retirement
• Years to target age
• Inflated monthly spend at retirement
• Estimated FI age
• Net invested today, Coast number today and your annual savings

6) Export
Download a CSV with your data.

What Your Results Mean

• Lean FIRE
  Your planned spending is modest and your current portfolio already covers it using your chosen withdrawal rate.

• Standard FIRE
  Your current portfolio supports a typical spending level today, not lean and not fat.

• Fat FIRE
  Your portfolio supports higher spending and more flexibility.

• Coast FIRE
  You have enough today that if you keep working only to cover living costs, your investments can grow to the target without new contributions.

• Barista FIRE
  You are on track by the target age with continued saving and investment growth. Part time income can close any small gap if you retire sooner.

• Not yet
  You are short of the target by the chosen age. The tool shows the gap and estimates the age at which you would cross into FI if you keep saving.

Assumptions and Formulas Used

• Net invested today = current portfolio minus total debt

• Annual savings = income minus expenses

• Required portfolio at retirement = annual retirement spend adjusted for inflation divided by the safe withdrawal rate

• Projection = compound your net invested balance to the target age and add each year of savings

• Inflation adjustment grows your retirement spending so your future target reflects real purchasing power

You can adjust return, inflation and withdrawal rate to fit your risk tolerance. The calculator is a planning tool, not a prediction. Markets and personal situations change. Revisit your plan often.

Example Walk Through

Say you are 35 with a $250,000 portfolio and no debt. You earn $80,000, spend $40,000 and want to retire at 50. You plan to spend $4,000 a month in retirement. With a 7 percent return, 3 percent inflation and a 4 percent withdrawal rate the tool will:

• Inflate the $48,000 annual spend to your age 50 target

• Divide by the 4 percent withdrawal rate to get the required portfolio at 50

• Project your portfolio with annual savings of $40,000 and market growth

• Classify your FIRE type and estimate the age you first reach FI if it is not already today

Use this example only as a guide. Your numbers will differ.

Tips to Reach FI Faster

• Raise savings rate with a simple rule: increase contributions when you get raises

• Reduce a few large recurring costs such as housing, cars and insurance

• Consolidate or refinance high interest debt

• Automate investing into a diversified low cost portfolio

• Revisit your target spending. Many budgets can flex without reducing quality of life

Why use this FIRE Calculator over others

• Clear classification into Lean, Coast, Barista, Standard or Fat FIRE

• Coast today number shows how close you are if you stop new contributions

• Estimated FI age if your current target age still leaves a gap

• Clean mobile experience with a responsive layout and a simple chart

• CSV export so you can track progress over time

Frequently asked questions

What safe withdrawal rate should I use?
Four percent is a common starting point for long term stock and bond portfolios. If you prefer a more conservative plan, try 3 to 3.5 percent. If you expect to earn some income in early retirement, a higher rate may be suitable for planning.

How do I pick an expected return?
Seven percent is a simple long run assumption for a diversified stock heavy portfolio. If you are more conservative, lower it. If you hold more bonds, you may want a lower return as well.

Should I include my home equity?
Only include assets you plan to draw from to fund spending. If the home will be sold to fund retirement you can add the net proceeds. If not, exclude it.

What is the difference between Standard FIRE and Fat FIRE?
Standard FIRE supports a typical spending level. Fat FIRE supports higher spending with more cushion. You can set the thresholds in the advanced settings.

What does Coast FIRE really mean?
Your current portfolio, left to grow, should reach the target by your chosen age without new contributions. You still work to pay current expenses.

Why does my FIRE type change when I adjust inflation?
Higher inflation raises the needed portfolio at retirement. Lower inflation does the opposite. The classification compares your projected portfolio to this moving target.

Who is This Tool For?

This tool is for anyone interested in Financial Independence Retire Early. It works for low income earners and high income earners alike. Whether you are a teacher, a doctor, a warehouse employee or a freelancer, or simply someone who wants to escape the rat race, this calculator shows where you stand and what to adjust to reach financial independence sooner.

Next Steps

• Save your CSV and repeat the calculation each quarter

• Test different retirement ages and spending levels

• Try our other tools: 4 Percent Rule Calculator, Coast FIRE Calculator, Barista FIRE Calculator and Expat FIRE Calculator

• Want full early retirement planning?
  Book a free consultation and get Expert Financial Planning