Savings Goal Calculator
Monthly amount to hit a savings target
Saving for a house, car or emergency fund? Enter your goal, what you've already saved, an expected return and your timeframe to find the monthly amount you need.
Time does the heavy lifting
The longer your timeframe, the more compound growth helps and the less you have to save each month. Even a modest return meaningfully lowers the contribution needed for distant goals.
Match the account to the timeline
For goals within a year or two — a vacation, a car, an emergency fund — keep the money safe in a high-yield savings account or CD and assume a low return. For goals a decade or more away, invested money can reasonably grow faster, but the value will swing along the way, so don't count on a smooth line.
Automate and revisit
Savers who hit their goals usually automate the monthly transfer for the day after payday, so it happens before the money is spent. Re-run this calculator once a year: a raise, a windfall or a changed deadline can shrink the monthly amount you need, and watching the gap close is its own motivation.
Savings Goal Calculator: frequently asked questions
How much should I save each month?
Work backward from your goal and deadline — this calculator gives the exact monthly figure, accounting for growth on what you save.
What return should I assume for savings?
For short-term goals use a conservative savings/CD rate; for long-term goals a diversified-investment estimate (~5–7%) is common but not guaranteed.
Where should I keep money I'm saving for a goal?
Match the account to the timeline: a high-yield savings account or CD for goals within a couple of years, and a diversified investment account for goals a decade or more away, where growth can outpace inflation despite swings.