Inflation Calculator
Project a price or a savings balance forward at a yearly inflation rate you choose.
| Future cost of $100.00 | $134.39 |
|---|---|
| Buying power of $100.00 in 10 years | $74.41 |
| Total price rise | 34.39% |
| Buying power lost | 25.59% |
How to use it
- Enter a price or a sum of money in today's dollars.
- Enter the yearly inflation rate you want to assume. A recent average or a long-run figure both work; try a few.
- Enter how many years ahead to look.
Formula
Future cost = amount × (1 + rate)^yearsFuture buying power = amount ÷ (1 + rate)^yearsTotal price rise = (1 + rate)^years − 1
Example
At 3% a year, something that costs $100 today costs 100 × 1.03^10 = $134.39 in 10 years. Put the other way, $100 kept in cash buys only $74.41 of today's goods after 10 years, a 25.59% loss of buying power.
Questions
Does this use historical CPI data?
No. It applies one steady rate you choose, which is how you plan ahead. To convert a past price into today's dollars with official data, use the CPI Inflation Calculator from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Why is the buying power loss smaller than the price rise?
They answer different questions. Prices rising 34.39% means each dollar buys 1 ÷ 1.3439 = 74.41% as much, a 25.59% loss.
How do I beat inflation?
Savings need to earn more than the inflation rate after tax. Compare with the compound interest calculator.
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Last reviewed 2026-10-11. Found a mistake? Tell us.