FIRE Calculator (Lean, Standard, Fat & Coast FIRE)
Map your pathway to early retirement across the four primary FIRE frameworks. This calculator projects your Lean FIRE, Standard FIRE, Fat FIRE, and Coast FIRE milestones, revealing exactly how much capital you must hold today to achieve work optionality.
Current baseline annual household living expenditures
Your current age in years
Age at which you intend to step away from mandatory employment
Long-term annualized real compound return after inflation
Baseline portfolio goal funding 100% of current lifestyle (25x expenses)
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your annual baseline living expenses in today’s dollars.
- Enter your current age and intended early retirement target age.
- Set your expected real investment return rate (historic broad equity return is ~7% after inflation).
- Compare your Standard, Lean, Fat, and Coast FIRE targets to align on your savings trajectory.
Formula & Calculation Methodology
Standard FIRE requires 25 times annual expenditure under the 4% safe withdrawal rule. Coast FIRE discounts that future sum back to the present day using expected compound investment returns.
Worked Example
Age 30 aiming for retirement at 50 with $50,000 annual expenses and 7% real return
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coast FIRE?↓
Coast FIRE is the milestone where your existing investment portfolio is large enough that, without investing another dollar, compound growth alone will expand into your full retirement target by your target retirement age. You only need to earn enough to cover current living expenses.
What is the distinction between Lean FIRE and Fat FIRE?↓
Lean FIRE represents a minimalist lifestyle with annual spending typically below $40,000, prioritizing extreme frugality for rapid freedom. Fat FIRE encompasses affluent spending (typically $100,000+ per year), allowing luxury travel and dining without budgeting constraints.
What is Barista FIRE?↓
Barista FIRE occurs when your portfolio covers a majority of living expenses, but you work a low-stress part-time or seasonal job to cover health insurance benefits and nominal discretionary spending.
Does FIRE account for healthcare before Medicare eligibility?↓
In countries like the United States, retirees before age 65 must budget for private health insurance via the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges. Factor private health premiums and out-of-pocket maximums into your living expenses.
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Open calculator →Source Citation & Disclaimer
Informational tool only; not licensed tax, legal, or financial advice.