Savings goal calculator
Enter a goal and a date, and see exactly how much to set aside each month to get there. Also known as a sinking fund calculator.
How the savings goal calculation works
A savings goal (also called a sinking fund) spreads a known future cost across the months leading up to it. The math is simple: take what you still need (your goal minus what you have already saved) and divide it by the number of months until the deadline. That is your monthly contribution.
If the money sits in a high-yield savings account, some of the goal is covered by interest your balance earns along the way. Enter an APY and the calculator credits that growth, which lowers the amount you have to put in yourself.
Why sinking funds beat scrambling
Big irregular costs are the ones that wreck a budget: the insurance premium, the property tax, the vet bill, the flight home for the holidays. None of them are surprises, but they feel like surprises when they hit all at once. A sinking fund turns a $1,200 bill into twelve quiet $100 months.
Track your goals automatically
This calculator gives you the number. Telemetry keeps you honest against it. The savings goals feature tracks each goal's balance, tells you whether you are on pace or behind, and lets you point several goals at one high-yield account. You set the plan once, and it shows you where you stand.
Common questions
What is a savings goal?▾
A savings goal (sometimes called a sinking fund) is money you set aside a little at a time for a known future expense, like a new roof, property taxes, a car repair, or a trip. Instead of the bill landing all at once, you spread the cost out ahead of time so it's ready when you need it.
How do you calculate a savings goal contribution?▾
Take the amount you still need (your goal minus what you have already saved) and divide it by the number of months until the deadline. If your savings earn interest, a bit of the goal comes from growth, so the monthly amount is slightly lower. This calculator handles both.
Should I count interest from a high-yield savings account?▾
If you keep the money in a high-yield savings account, yes. Enter the APY and the calculator credits the interest your balance earns along the way, which lowers how much you have to contribute yourself. Leave it at 0 for a plain, no-interest estimate.
How is this different from a regular budget?▾
A budget covers this month. A savings goal plans for costs that are months away, so they never blow up a single month when they arrive. Telemetry tracks both, and shows whether each goal is on pace.
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