Inflation Calculator

Understand tomorrow's dollars today

Inflation reduces what each dollar can buy. Estimate future prices or the future purchasing power of money you hold today.

Example inflation chart showing how purchasing power declines over 10 years at default inputs — Example chart using this page’s default inputs. Adjust the calculator to update the live chart below.

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Amount Today ($)

Annual Inflation (%)

Number of Years

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Purchasing Power Over Time

                    Assumptions: Constant annual inflation rate. Actual CPI varies by year and category.
                    Projections are estimates only and not guaranteed returns or financial advice.
                

How This Calculator Works

Future cost grows by (1 + inflation)^years. Purchasing power of a fixed cash amount shrinks by the same factor.

Example

At 3% inflation, $100 today has the purchasing power of about $74 in 10 years.

FAQ

What inflation rate should I use?

Long-run US averages often land near 2–3%. Use a rate that matches your planning scenario.

How does this affect goals?

Raise nominal targets or assume real (inflation-adjusted) investment returns.