FI Number Calculator
One number changes everything. Your FI number is the portfolio size where work becomes optional. Find yours in seconds.
What Is a FI Number?
Your FI number is Annual Expenses × 25. Once your investments reach this amount, the 4% withdrawal rate covers your lifestyle — forever.
Slide to explore — how much do you spend monthly?
Every $100/month you cut permanently reduces your FI number by $30,000
Full FI Calculator
Model your complete path — current investments, contributions, returns, and projected timeline.
Your Scenario
Every dollar counts. Focus on increasing the gap between income and expenses. Use the sliders to explore scenarios.
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Go Deeper With Your FI Plan
Your FI number is just the start. These tools map the full path.
What's Your FI Number?
Our free FI calculator shows you in 60 seconds. Create a free account to save your results and build a personalized roadmap.
Basic Calculator
- FI Number (25x rule)
- Timeline projection
- Growth chart
FI Planning Tool
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Social Security & pensions
- Debt payoff modeling
- Multiple scenarios
- Progress tracking
- Personalized milestones
Free forever — no credit card required
Now That You Know Your Number
Your FI number is the destination — now you need the route. Start with our deep dive on calculating your FI number to understand the assumptions behind the math, then learn how to build the portfolio that gets you there with low-cost index funds.
Want to accelerate the timeline? Travel rewards let you redirect thousands in vacation spending back toward investments. And if your FI number feels impossibly large, explore Coast FI — where you have already invested enough and compound growth does the rest.
Which FIRE Is Right for You?
There is no one-size-fits-all. Choose the level that matches your values and lifestyle.
Lean FIRE
Minimal spending, maximum freedom. You have optimized expenses aggressively and are comfortable living simply. Geographic arbitrage — low cost-of-living areas or countries — makes this very achievable.
Best for: Minimalists, frugality enthusiasts, international expats
Regular FIRE
A comfortable middle-class lifestyle without the paycheck. Occasional travel, dining out, hobbies, and a modest home. This is where most ChooseFI community members aim.
Best for: Most FI seekers, families, suburban homeowners
Fat FIRE
All the freedom with zero lifestyle compromises. Premium healthcare, frequent travel, higher-cost-of-living areas. Requires either very high income, long timeline, or entrepreneurial success.
Best for: High earners, entrepreneurs, those in expensive metros
Coast FI
You have invested enough that compound growth will carry you to traditional retirement age without another dollar added. You only need to cover current expenses — no more saving required.
Best for: Early starters, those wanting less pressure, career changers
Barista FIRE
Your investments cover most expenses and a low-stress part-time job fills the gap. Named after the strategy of working at places like Starbucks for health benefits.
Best for: Those who want a safety net, healthcare coverage seekers
Strategies to Reach FI Faster
Toggle common optimizations and watch your FI number drop in real time.
Your Impact
That is less you need to invest. At a 50% savings rate, this could mean retiring months sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
A good FI number is 25 times your annual expenses. For someone spending $40,000 per year, that is $1,000,000. For $60,000 per year, it is $1,500,000. Your FI number is personal and depends entirely on the lifestyle you want to maintain.
Multiply your annual expenses by 25. This is based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate from the Trinity Study, which showed that withdrawing 4% of your portfolio annually has historically sustained a 30+ year retirement.
The 4% rule remains a widely accepted starting point backed by decades of historical data. Some financial planners suggest using 3.5% for added safety, while others argue that flexible spending strategies allow for higher withdrawal rates. The key is having a plan and adjusting as needed.
Social Security can reduce the amount you need to save. If you expect $20,000 per year from Social Security, your portfolio only needs to cover the gap. However, many in the FI community prefer to plan without it as a conservative approach and treat it as a bonus.
Lean FIRE targets $25,000 to $40,000 per year in spending ($625K to $1M portfolio). Regular FIRE targets $40,000 to $70,000 ($1M to $1.75M). Fat FIRE targets $100,000+ ($2.5M+). The right choice depends on your desired lifestyle and cost of living.
Turn Your FI Number Into a Plan
Every week, Brad Barrett shares one actionable strategy to close the gap between where you are and financial independence. Join 100,000+ subscribers.
What's Your FI Number?
Our free FI calculator shows you in 60 seconds. Create a free account to save your results and build a personalized roadmap.
Basic Calculator
- FI Number (25x rule)
- Timeline projection
- Growth chart
FI Planning Tool
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Social Security & pensions
- Debt payoff modeling
- Multiple scenarios
- Progress tracking
- Personalized milestones
Free forever — no credit card required
Ready to go deeper?
Model pension, Social Security, Coast FI, and debt payoff — see how they affect your timeline. 100% free.