Salary survival calculator
How many months can you survive without a salary?
Losing your income is stressful — knowing your exact runway makes it manageable. Compare your savings against what you truly spend each month (essentials, debt and any side income) to get your survival time in months, and see what moves the number the most.
Your numbers
You can survive about
months
Stable — your side income already covers your essentials. Strong — a year or more of runway is an excellent buffer. Okay — 6 to 12 months gives you real time to find the right job. Tight — under 6 months: start acting now, not after week one of job hunting. Danger — under 3 months. Cut spending, call your lenders and look for income today.
Monthly burn
Essentials + debts
Covered by income
Runway = savings ÷ (essential expenses + debt payments − other income). Essentials only — luxury spending stops in an emergency, debt usually does not.
- Debt payments are the silent killer — refinancing or pausing them can add months instantly.
- Cutting any expense doubles its value: it lowers the burn and can feed savings.
- Register for unemployment benefits and pause non-essential subscriptions the day it happens.
Frequently asked questions
How is my survival time calculated?
Your runway equals your reliable savings divided by your monthly burn — essential expenses plus debt payments minus any other income. It assumes you cut luxury spending immediately, which is why only essentials are counted.
What if my side income already covers my expenses?
The calculator shows a stable state: you are not depleting savings. Treat that income as the fragile part — if it is freelance or temporary, still keep a buffer for the months it could disappear.
More tools
Planning aid only. This tool gives general estimates and standard procedures — not legal, financial or medical advice. In a life-threatening situation, call your local emergency number first. Always verify country-specific rules with official sources.