About this FIRE Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) number, the size of nest egg needed to safely cover your annual expenses. Adjust your savings rate, expected return, and withdrawal rate to see how each lever changes your timeline.
The 4% rule explained
The 4% rule (popularized by the Trinity Study) suggests you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually with high probability of never running out over 30 years. That means your FIRE number is roughly 25x your annual expenses. More conservative withdrawal rates of 3.25–3.5% require larger portfolios but increase safety in challenging markets.
Lean, Regular, and Fat FIRE
Lean FIRE targets a modest lifestyle (~70% of current expenses), often $25K–$40K annually for individuals. Regular FIRE maintains your current lifestyle. Fat FIRE aims for an upgraded lifestyle (~150% of current), useful if you want to fund travel, hobbies, or family support without budget anxiety.
Coast FIRE — the underrated milestone
Coast FIRE is the point at which your existing savings will compound to your FIRE number by traditional retirement age (65) without any further contributions. Hitting Coast FIRE means you can stop saving aggressively and focus on enjoying life, lower-stress jobs, or part-time work — even if you can’t retire immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 4% rule for FIRE?
The 4% rule says you can safely withdraw 4% of your portfolio annually, adjusted for inflation, with a high probability of never running out over a 30-year retirement. It implies a FIRE number of 25x your annual expenses.
Is FIRE realistic for the average person?
FIRE typically requires a 40-60% savings rate, which is well above the U.S. average of around 5%. It’s most achievable for high earners with low fixed expenses or dual-income households who keep lifestyle inflation in check.
What return rate should I use?
Most FIRE planners use 7% as a reasonable real (inflation-adjusted) return for a stock-heavy portfolio. Use 5–6% for more conservative allocations. Don’t assume above 8% over 20+ year horizons.