Financial
Inflation Calculator
See how purchasing power changes over time.
Inputs
Adjust the assumptions to match your scenario. Results update instantly.
Results
Primary outputs and comparison insights are built from the current inputs.
Future equivalent
$1,343.92
Amount needed in the future to match today's purchasing power.
Purchasing power
$744.09
What today's amount will be worth in future dollars.
Value lost
$255.91
Decrease in real purchasing power.
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How this Inflation Calculator works
The Inflation Calculator shows how rising prices erode purchasing power and how much more you will need in the future to maintain the same standard. Enter current amount, inflation rate, and years to estimate future equivalent, purchasing power, and value lost. The calculator updates instantly and adds a comparison table plus chart so you can test the sensitivity of the result before you use it in a decision.
Quick guide
Jump to the section you need, then return to the inflation calculator.
Inputs
- Amount of money today.
- Expected annual inflation rate.
- Number of years into the future.
Outputs
- Amount needed in the future to match today's purchasing power.
- What today's amount will be worth in future dollars.
- Decrease in real purchasing power.
Assumptions
- Constant annual inflation rate.
- No compounding interruptions.
Tips
- Use 2-3% for long-term US inflation planning.
- Factor inflation into retirement projections.
Inflation Calculator formula guide
Use these inflation calculator formulas to audit the output or explain it to someone else.
2 formulas
Inflation Calculator examples
Review a ready-made inflation calculator scenario, copy it, then tweak inputs to match your case.
Example
Decade purchasing power check
Inputs
- Example input Current amount: $5,000.00
- Example input Inflation rate: 3.5%
- Example input Years: 15
Outputs
- Example result Future equivalent: $8,376.74
- Example result Purchasing power: $2,984.45
- Example result Value lost: $2,015.55
At 3.5% inflation, money loses roughly a third of its value in 15 years.
Purchasing power by inflation rate
| Inflation rate | Purchasing power | Future equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2% | $820.35 | $1,218.99 |
| 3% | $744.09 | $1,343.92 |
| 4% | $675.56 | $1,480.24 |
| 5% | $613.91 | $1,628.89 |
| 6% | $558.39 | $1,790.85 |
Even modest inflation compounds into significant purchasing power loss over decades.
Erosion of value
Focus point
2%
$820.35
Position
#1 of 5
Original order
Share of total
24.04%
Total: $3,412.31
Even modest inflation compounds into significant purchasing power loss over decades.
References
- Consumer price index methodology
- Time value of money and inflation
Learn more
Guides connected to the inflation calculator
Use these short guides when you want the decision framework behind the numbers, not just the raw output.
Category guide
Financial Calculator Guide
Understand when to use payment, return, tax, and budgeting calculators so you can make cleaner money decisions.
Directly related
Articles that mention this calculator
FAQ
Inflation Calculator FAQ
What does the Inflation Calculator do?
The Inflation Calculator shows how rising prices erode purchasing power and how much more you will need in the future to maintain the same standard. Enter current amount, inflation rate, and years to estimate future equivalent, purchasing power, and value lost. The calculator updates instantly and adds a comparison table plus chart so you can test the sensitivity of the result before you use it in a decision. It is part of our financial toolkit.
What inputs do I need?
Typical inputs include Amount of money today., Expected annual inflation rate., Number of years into the future..
How are the results calculated?
We follow the formulas and assumptions outlined in the "How this calculator works" section. You will see outputs like Amount needed in the future to match today's purchasing power., What today's amount will be worth in future dollars., Decrease in real purchasing power..
Can I share or download the results?
Use the Copy link or Print buttons to share your results. If a table or chart appears, you can download the data as CSV.
Is my data stored?
No. Calculations run in your browser and we do not store your inputs.
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