Purchasing power

Inflation Calculator

Estimate how inflation may change future prices and reduce the purchasing power of money over time.

Future equivalent cost Future amount needed to buy the same thing
Future purchasing power What the original amount may buy later
Cumulative inflation Total estimated price increase

How this inflation calculator works

The calculator applies the same annual inflation rate throughout the selected period. Actual inflation changes from year to year, sometimes politely and sometimes with all the subtlety of a grocery receipt.

Future equivalent cost Amount × (1 + inflation rate)^years
Future purchasing power Amount ÷ (1 + inflation rate)^years

Future equivalent cost estimates how many dollars may be needed later to purchase what the entered amount buys today. Future purchasing power estimates what the same unchanged dollar amount may be worth in today's terms.

For educational purposes only. Results are estimates and assume a constant inflation rate. Actual prices and inflation rates vary.