In the context of planning, safety buffer refers to the number of days before a person or an organization derails on a set goal, while taking no particular initial action prior to an expected delivery/ commencement date. Safety buffer represents the number of days left in the countdown to the date set for a goal, before it is too late.

When a person sets a new goal, a buffer can be defined so that he/ she can decide the date by progress has to be made on achievement. For example, if the date is a week later, the goal will be due in 7 days, and a safety buffer of 7 days will be there in the meantime.

A safety buffer is also known as a leeway.