Inflation Calculator
See what your money will cost in the future and how inflation erodes its buying power.
This calculator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded.
How to use this tool
This US inflation calculator answers two questions at once. Enter a dollar amount, the annual inflation rate you expect, and how many years to project. Press Calculate. The first number shows how many dollars you would need in the future to buy the same goods that the amount buys today. The second number shows the buying power of that same money in today's dollars, which is how inflation quietly erodes savings over time. You can copy the result or download it as a small text file.
How it works
Buying power = amount ÷ (1 + rate)years
The rate is the decimal form of the percentage you enter, so 3% becomes 0.03. The future cost line uses compounding, the same idea the Consumer Price Index (CPI) tracks when it measures rising prices year after year. The buying power line runs the math in reverse: it discounts the money back to show what it is really worth once prices climb. Both use the same inflation rate, just applied in opposite directions. This makes it a quick CPI inflation buying power tool and a simple historical value of money checker when you plug in past rates.
A real example
Suppose you have $1,000 and assume a steady 3% annual inflation rate over 10 years. The future cost is 1000 × (1.03)10, which is about $1,343.92. So goods that cost $1,000 today would cost roughly $1,344 in ten years. The buying power is 1000 ÷ (1.03)10, about $744.09. That means $1,000 left sitting under the mattress would only buy what $744 buys today, a clear picture of how inflation erodes savings that earn no interest.
Common questions
What inflation rate should I use for the United States?
Long-run average US inflation has hovered near 2% to 3% per year, and the Federal Reserve targets about 2%. Recent years have run higher. If you are unsure, try 3% for a moderate estimate, then test a higher and a lower rate to see the range.
What is the difference between future cost and buying power?
Future cost is how many more dollars you will need later to buy the same things. Buying power is how much your current dollars will actually be worth later. They are two sides of the same coin, which is why this tool shows both from one calculation.
Does this account for interest or investment returns?
No. It only measures the effect of inflation on a fixed amount of money. If your savings earn interest, compare your return rate to the inflation rate. When your return is below inflation, your buying power still shrinks.
Can I check the historical value of money with this?
Yes. Enter a past amount, the average inflation rate over the period, and the number of years that have passed. The future cost line then estimates today's equivalent price, working as a historical value of money checker.
How accurate are these numbers?
The tool assumes one steady rate every year, while real inflation varies. Treat the results as an educational estimate, not financial advice. For decisions about savings or investments, consider speaking with a licensed financial professional.