Inflation Calculator
Estimate future costs and purchasing power using a constant inflation rate you choose. This is a scenario calculator, not a historical CPI lookup. Actual inflation changes over time.
Constant user-entered inflation, not historical data or a forecast. Future mode shows the estimated cost of the same basket; earlier-price mode divides the entered amount by the price-growth factor. No interest or investment return is earned in this model.
Value Over Time
Frequently Asked Questions
Understand your result
Your Savings Grew—But Can They Buy More?
Understand the difference between a rising savings balance and purchasing power, with exact inflation-adjusted examples.
Formula and worked example
For starting amount A, assumed annual inflation i as a decimal, and n years, equivalent future cost = A × (1+i)n. To express a later amount in earlier-price terms, divide by the same factor. These are constant-rate illustrations, not historical prices.
At 3% a year for 10 years, a basket costing $1,000 today is modeled to cost $1,343.92. An unchanged $1,000 then would buy the equivalent of $744.09 at today’s prices: a $255.91, or 25.6%, purchasing-power reduction. Switching to earlier-price mode with $1,000 gives $744.09.
Why is the price increase different from purchasing-power loss?
The price increase compares 1.343916 with 1; purchasing-power loss compares 1 ÷ 1.343916 with 1. Their denominators differ. Neither percentage describes a return earned by the money.
Limits of this estimate
The rate stays constant, the basket is unchanged, and no interest is earned on the amount. Personal costs can change differently. The tool accepts non-negative inflation; it does not model deflation or tax.