Inflation Calculator
See how inflation changes what your money is worth over time.
Estimates for educational purposes only — not financial, tax, or investment advice.
Two ways to see inflation
This calculator shows both sides of inflation. First, what a basket of goods costing your amount today will cost in the future. Second, how much the same dollars will actually buy down the road — their purchasing power. A 3% inflation rate quietly cuts the value of cash roughly in half over about 24 years.
Why this matters for savings
Money sitting in a low-interest account loses real value to inflation every year. To preserve purchasing power, your return needs to at least match inflation. Compare this with our compound interest calculator to see whether your savings are actually growing in real terms.
Frequently asked questions
What inflation rate should I use?
Long-run U.S. inflation has averaged around 2-3% per year, though it varies. Use a higher rate to stress-test a more pessimistic scenario.
Is this the same as the official CPI?
It's a simplified compound model. Official inflation (CPI) is measured on a specific basket of goods and changes year to year, so real-world results will differ.