FIRE Calculator
Calculate your Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) number and how many years until you reach it — based on your savings rate, expenses, and return rate.
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Get access freeHow the FIRE number is calculated
The FIRE number is based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate — the research-backed finding that a diversified portfolio can sustain annual withdrawals of 4% indefinitely:
If you spend $60,000/year, your FIRE number is $1,500,000. Once your portfolio reaches that size, you can withdraw $60,000/year and statistically expect the portfolio to last 30+ years.
Savings rate is the biggest lever
| Savings Rate | Years to FIRE | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | ~43 years | Traditional retirement at 65+ |
| 25% | ~32 years | Early retirement possible at 50s |
| 40% | ~22 years | Retire in 40s if started at 25 |
| 50% | ~17 years | Classic FIRE target |
| 65% | ~10 years | Aggressive Fat/Lean FIRE |
Assumes 7% annual return and starting from $0.
FIRE variants
Retiring on a minimal budget. Lower FIRE number but requires disciplined spending. Common target: 20–25× expenses.
Retiring with a comfortable lifestyle. Higher target (30–40× expenses) to fund significant discretionary spending.
Semi-retirement with part-time work covering some expenses. Reduces required portfolio size significantly.
Saving until your existing portfolio will grow to your FIRE number by retirement age without further contributions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the FIRE number?
Your FIRE number is the portfolio size at which you can retire and live off investment returns without depleting the portfolio. It is calculated as 25× your annual expenses (based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate). If you spend $50,000/year, your FIRE number is $1,250,000.
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule (from the Trinity Study) states that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in the first year of retirement, then adjusting for inflation annually, has historically left the portfolio intact over 30 years. 4% withdrawal rate implies a 25× expenses portfolio target (1 ÷ 0.04 = 25).
What are the different types of FIRE?
Fat FIRE: retiring with a large portfolio for a comfortable lifestyle (typically 30–40× expenses). Lean FIRE: retiring with a minimal budget, often 20–25× expenses. Barista FIRE: semi-retirement with part-time work to cover some expenses. Coast FIRE: reaching a point where existing savings will grow to your FIRE number without additional contributions.
How long does it take to reach FIRE?
The primary driver is savings rate, not income. Someone saving 50% of income can reach FIRE in approximately 15–17 years. At 25% savings rate, it takes approximately 30 years. At 10%, 40+ years.
Track your FIRE progress in real time
TrackWorth tracks your actual net worth and shows your FIRE progress — how close you are to your number, updated automatically every month as your portfolio grows.
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