How long should my runway be before quitting?

For most office roles in healthy sectors, 3 months is the floor; 6 months gives room to be selective about the next offer; 9-12 months covers a sector switch or retraining. Below 3 months tends to lead to taking the first acceptable offer, which often isn't the right one.

Should I include partner income in the calculation?

Yes, if it's genuinely covering shared household expenses. The maths still works if you exclude it — the resulting runway is more conservative. Some people prefer that view as a stress test.

Does notice pay or PILON count as available cash?

Yes. Both are paid in your final payslip and become part of the available cash you're drawing from. PILON is taxed as earnings and arrives net; estimate using the PILON calculator.

What about benefits like Jobseeker's Allowance?

Voluntary resignation can trigger a JSA sanction (typically 13 weeks). Universal Credit is means-tested. The calculator deliberately excludes benefits to keep the figure conservative; treat them as upside if they come through.

Can I Afford to Quit My Job? Calculator (UK 2026)

Current accessible savings (£)

Essential monthly expenses (£)

Notice pay you’ll receive (£)

Final salary plus PILON if applicable. Estimate from the PILON calculator.

Expected redundancy pay (£, if applicable)

Expected freelance / side income per month (£)

Partner / household income per month (£, optional)

Estimated runway

5.5 months

Available cash £11,000 at a net burn of £2,000 per month. Moderate runway

3 to 6 months covers most office-role job searches in healthy sectors. Selective acceptance is realistic but watch the trajectory.

Illustrative estimate. Real life adds variables (slow income ramps, unexpected costs, partial income from side work). Treat the runway as a rough guide, not a guarantee.

How this is calculated

Available cash equals current savings plus notice pay plus any redundancy payment you’ll receive. Net monthly burn equals your essential expenses minus any continuing income (freelance work, partner contribution). Runway is available cash divided by net monthly burn.

The result is a rough orientation, not a guarantee. Real life adds variables the calculator doesn’t model: slow ramps in freelance income, unexpected costs, partial paycheck months. Treat the figure as a starting point and stress-test it by trying lower freelance income or higher expenses.

Worked example

Aisha has £8,000 saved, a £3,000 final paycheck due, no redundancy, expects £600/month from a side project, and her partner contributes £400/month to shared bills. Her essential expenses are £2,000/month. Available cash: £11,000. Net monthly burn: £1,000. Runway: 11 months. That’s a comfortable runway, room to be selective.

What changes the answer most

Three levers, by impact size. Monthly burnis the biggest; a £400 reduction in essentials adds months to the runway. Continuing income is next; a £300/month side hustle that’s genuinely committed adds real time. Notice and redundancy pay are one-time additions; useful but they don’t scale with time. The advice that follows: tighten burn, secure continuing income, then top up the cash buffer.

Related calculators and guides

Frequently asked questions

How long should my runway be before quitting?: For most office roles in healthy sectors, 3 months is the floor; 6 months gives room to be selective about the next offer; 9-12 months covers a sector switch or retraining. Below 3 months tends to lead to taking the first acceptable offer, which often isn't the right one.
Should I include partner income in the calculation?: Yes, if it's genuinely covering shared household expenses. The maths still works if you exclude it — the resulting runway is more conservative. Some people prefer that view as a stress test.
Does notice pay or PILON count as available cash?: Yes. Both are paid in your final payslip and become part of the available cash you're drawing from. PILON is taxed as earnings and arrives net; estimate using the PILON calculator.
What about benefits like Jobseeker's Allowance?: Voluntary resignation can trigger a JSA sanction (typically 13 weeks). Universal Credit is means-tested. The calculator deliberately excludes benefits to keep the figure conservative; treat them as upside if they come through.

Illustrative estimate. For advice tailored to your circumstances, contact MoneyHelper or a regulated financial adviser.

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