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Income Variability Calculator

How stable is your freelance income? Enter your monthly earnings to get your variability score, see danger zones, and get a personalized emergency fund recommendation.

Variability score

See if your income variability is low, medium, or high.

Danger zone analysis

Identify months where income fell below your expenses.

Emergency fund target

Get a personalized savings target for irregular income.

Your inputs

Add your last 6–12 months of income to see how unpredictable your cash flow really is.

Monthly income history

Add your last 6–12 months. Minimum 3 months required (more months = more accuracy).

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Tip: 6–12 months is best. (47% of freelancers experience income volatility.)

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Tip: 6–12 months is best. (47% of freelancers experience income volatility.)

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Tip: 6–12 months is best. (47% of freelancers experience income volatility.)

$

Tip: 6–12 months is best. (47% of freelancers experience income volatility.)

$

Tip: 6–12 months is best. (47% of freelancers experience income volatility.)

$

Tip: 6–12 months is best. (47% of freelancers experience income volatility.)

$

Used to highlight “danger months” below your expense threshold.

Your results

We calculate variability (coefficient of variation), identify danger months, and recommend an emergency fund.

Enter your monthly income to see your variability score.

Add at least 3 months (6–12 is best), then click Calculate.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on the income data you provide. Variability scores and recommendations are for informational purposes only. Consult a financial advisor for personalized advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is income variability?▼
Income variability measures how much your income fluctuates month to month. High variability means dramatic swings, while low variability means steady, predictable income.
How much should I save with variable income?▼
Aim for 6-12 months of expenses in emergency savings (vs 3-6 for steady income). The more variable your income, the larger your buffer should be.
What is a good stability score for freelancers?▼
A coefficient of variation below 20% is stable. 20-40% is moderate (typical for freelancers). Above 40% is high variability. Most freelancers fall in the 25-45% range.
How can I reduce my income variability?▼
Pursue retainer clients, diversify across industries, build recurring revenue through productized services, and maintain a pipeline of potential projects.

Related Resources

Freelancer Emergency Fund Guide

How much emergency savings do you really need?

Read guide

Budgeting with Variable Income

A tiered budgeting system for unpredictable income.

Read guide

Know your variability? Now forecast your cash flow and spot danger zones before they happen.

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