FIRE Number Calculator
Your FIRE number is how much you need invested to live off your portfolio for good. Find yours in seconds with the 25× rule — then see the age you'll actually reach it.
ⓘ Educational estimates based on your inputs — not financial advice.
What is a FIRE number?
Your FIRE number is the amount you need invested so that a safe annual withdrawal — typically 4% — covers your yearly spending indefinitely. The quick formula is the 25× rule: multiply your annual spending by 25. Spend $40,000 a year and your FIRE number is $1,000,000 — because 4% of $1M is $40,000, and historically a diversified portfolio has sustained that withdrawal for 30+ years (the Trinity Study).
How to calculate your FIRE number
Three steps:
- Estimate your annual retirement spending — not your income, what you'll actually spend.
- Pick your safe withdrawal rate — 4% is the standard; 3.5% is more conservative for a long early retirement.
- Divide annual spending by that rate — or simply multiply by 25 for the 4% rule.
The calculator above does this instantly and adds the part most tools skip: the age you'll reach your number, based on your current portfolio and savings rate.
FIRE number by annual spending
| Annual spending | FIRE number (4% rule) | Conservative (3.5%) |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $625,000 | $714,000 |
| $40,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,143,000 |
| $60,000 | $1,500,000 | $1,714,000 |
| $80,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,286,000 |
| $100,000 | $2,500,000 | $2,857,000 |
Why your withdrawal rate matters
A lower withdrawal rate means a bigger FIRE number but more safety. At 4% you need 25× spending; at 3.5%, about 28.6×; at 3%, about 33×. Early retirees planning for 40–50 years often choose 3.25–3.75% to cut the risk of running out. Change the withdrawal rate in the calculator to see how your number moves.
FIRE number — frequently asked questions
What is a FIRE number?
Your FIRE number is the total amount you need invested to be financially independent — enough that a safe annual withdrawal covers your living expenses for life. Under the 4% rule it equals 25× your annual spending.
How do I calculate my FIRE number?
Multiply your expected annual retirement spending by 25 (the 4% rule). For $50,000 a year that's $1,250,000. For a more conservative plan, divide by a lower rate — e.g. $50,000 ÷ 0.035 ≈ $1,430,000 at 3.5%.
Is the 25× rule accurate?
It's a well-tested starting point from the Trinity Study, which found a 4% withdrawal lasted 30+ years in nearly all historical periods. For very long (40–50 year) early retirements, many use 3.25–3.75% for extra safety. The calculator lets you test any rate.
What's the difference between my FIRE number and my Coast FIRE number?
Your FIRE number is the full amount you need to stop working. Your Coast FIRE number is smaller — the amount that, left to grow with no new contributions, reaches your FIRE number by your target retirement age. Check your Coast FIRE number on the main calculator.
Does my FIRE number account for inflation?
Yes — this calculator works in today's dollars, so your number reflects today's purchasing power. As long as your withdrawal-rate assumption holds, the 25× figure already builds in inflation-adjusted withdrawals.
How much do I need to retire at 40 or 50?
The FIRE number itself is the same at any age — it depends on spending, not timing. What changes is how aggressively you must save to reach it. To see the age you'll hit your number, enter your portfolio and savings rate above, or use the early retirement calculator.