Savings Goal Calculator
Calculate exactly how long to reach any savings goal or how much to save monthly. Works for emergency fund, house down payment, 529 college fund, or any financial target. 2026 HYSA rates included.
Calculator
How it works
Calculation methodology
The Fastest Path to Any Savings Goal
Three variables control your timeline: how much you start with, how much you add each month, and your interest rate. The calculator above lets you solve for any one of these. Here’s the context you need to set realistic numbers.
Where to keep your money by goal timeline
| Timeline | Best account | 2026 rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | HYSA or 6-mo CD | 4.5%–5.2% |
| 2–5 years | CD ladder or I-Bonds | 4.5%–5% |
| 5–10 years | Conservative index fund mix | 5%–8% projected |
| 10+ years | Stock-heavy index funds | 7%–10% projected |
Top HYSAs in 2026
Ally Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, SoFi Savings, and Discover Online Savings are popular online options. Top high-yield savings accounts pay about 4.00%–4.27% APY as of October 2, 2026, versus a national average of 0.37%. All are FDIC-insured to $250,000. Takes about 10 minutes to open one online — there’s no reason to leave money in a traditional savings account at the national average.
The automation trick that actually works
Set up an automatic transfer to your savings account on payday — not at the end of the month after you’ve spent. Automate the exact monthly amount the calculator tells you you need. When savings is automatic, you adjust your spending to match what’s left rather than trying to save whatever happens to be left over (which is usually $0).
2026 contribution limits for tax-advantaged savings
401(k): $24,500/year ($32,500 if 50+). Roth IRA: $7,500/year ($8,600 if 50+). HSA: $4,400 individual, $8,750 family. 529: No annual limit, but gifts above $19,000/year trigger gift tax reporting. Max tax-advantaged accounts before putting savings in taxable accounts.
If you’re saving toward a home down payment, see our Mortgage Affordability Calculator to find the exact home price your income supports — so you know what number you’re actually saving toward.
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