About the inflation calculator
Inflation slowly raises prices, so the same amount of money buys less each year. Enter an amount, an average rate, and a number of years to see the future cost of the same goods and today’s money’s future buying power.
How to use this calculator
- Enter an amount.
- Enter an average annual inflation rate.
- Enter the number of years.
Worked examples
- 1.03¹⁰ ≈ 1.3439
$1,343.92 future cost; $744.09 in today’s buying power.
Measurement guidance
Choosing a rate
Use a long-term average for planning. Official rates are published by national statistics agencies, such as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Frequently asked questions
Is this based on actual CPI data?
No — it uses the constant rate you enter. Actual inflation varies year to year.
What is the rule of 72?
Divide 72 by the rate to estimate doubling time — at 3%, about 24 years.