FIRE Number Calculator
Calculate the amount of invested assets needed to support your annual expenses indefinitely using a safe withdrawal rate.
Results
Example: Calculating your FIRE number
If your annual living expenses are $40,000 and you use a 4% withdrawal rate, your FIRE number would be $1,000,000.
This means you would need approximately $1,000,000 invested to sustainably cover your expenses under the FIRE framework.
How the FIRE number works
The FIRE method is based on the idea that if you invest enough assets, you can live off investment returns without needing traditional employment income.
The most commonly referenced guideline is the 4% rule, which suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio annually has historically supported a 30-year retirement in many market conditions.
Lower withdrawal rates require a larger FIRE number but increase the margin of safety. Higher rates reduce the required amount but may increase risk.
This calculator provides a simplified estimate and should be used as a planning tool rather than a prediction.
Reaching financial independence usually involves consistent investing. Tools like a compound interest calculator help estimate how regular contributions grow toward your FIRE number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a FIRE number?▾
A FIRE number is the amount of invested assets needed to support your annual expenses indefinitely using a safe withdrawal rate.
What withdrawal rate should I use?▾
Many people use 4%, based on historical studies, but more conservative investors may choose 3–3.5%.
Does this calculator include taxes or inflation?▾
No. It assumes expenses are adjusted for taxes and inflation separately.
Is the FIRE number guaranteed?▾
No. It is an estimate based on historical data and assumptions, not a guarantee of future outcomes.