Inflation Calculator

Project what an amount will cost in the future, and what it will be worth in today's money, at a steady annual inflation rate.

$
%
The Federal Reserve targets 2% a year over the longer run; actual inflation varies.
Cost of the same goods in 10 years
$1,343.92
Future purchasing power of this amount (in today's money)
$744.09
Cumulative price increase
34.39 %
Purchasing power lost
25.59 %

Estimate generated with SortedSums: https://sortedsums.com/inflation-calculator/. For informational purposes only; verify before relying on it.

Estimate only. This tool is for informational and educational purposes. Results depend on your inputs and simplifying assumptions, and are not a substitute for professional engineering, design or financial advice. Always verify with a qualified professional and applicable codes before purchasing, building or making decisions.

How it’s calculated

At a steady inflation rate, prices compound just like interest. The same rate tells you how much a fixed sum of cash loses in buying power.

Future cost = amount × (1 + inflation)^years Purchasing power = amount ÷ (1 + inflation)^years

Example: at 3% a year, something costing $1,000 today costs 1,000 × 1.03¹⁰ = $1,343.92 in 10 years, and $1,000 of cash kept for 10 years buys only what 1,000 ÷ 1.03¹⁰ = $744.09 buys today.

This projects a constant rate. It does not look up historical CPI data; use the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI for past price changes.

Frequently asked questions

What inflation rate should I use?

The Federal Reserve aims for 2% a year over the longer run. Long-run U.S. CPI inflation has averaged roughly 3%, but it varies a lot year to year.

How fast does inflation halve the value of money?

Rule of 72: divide 72 by the rate. At 3%, cash loses half its buying power in about 24 years.

How do I protect savings from inflation?

Earn a return above inflation. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) and I bonds are indexed to CPI.

Embed this calculator

Add this free calculator to your own website. Copy the code below into your page’s HTML:

Sources

Formulas are taken from the free public references above. Results are provided “as is” for informational and educational purposes only. See our disclaimer.

Spotted a mistake or missing option? Report a problem · GitHub issue· Suggest a calculator

Related calculators

Compound Interest CalculatorSee how savings grow with compound interest and monthly contributions: future value, total contributions and interest earned.Savings Goal CalculatorFind how much you need to save each month to reach a savings goal by a target date, with interest compounded monthly.Percentage CalculatorFind X% of a number, what percent one number is of another, or the percentage increase or decrease between two values.Amortization Schedule CalculatorSee a loan’s monthly payment, total interest, remaining balance after any year, and how much interest and principal you pay in that year.Auto Loan CalculatorCar loan payment from vehicle price, down payment, trade-in, sales tax and fees: monthly payment, total interest and total cost.Credit Card Payoff CalculatorFind how many months it takes to pay off a credit card balance with a fixed monthly payment, and the total interest you will pay.