💰 Finance & Investing

Inflation Calculator (US CPI)

Calculate US inflation impact between any two years using CPI. Free inflation calculator from 1913 to today.

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What This Calculator Tells You

Inflation means the same goods cost more over time, so each dollar buys less. This calculator projects how much something will cost in the future at a given inflation rate, and what a future amount is worth in today's dollars.

It is useful for setting long-term savings targets, judging whether a raise kept pace with prices, and comparing money across years.

What to Enter

Amount ($) — the price or sum you want to project.
Annual inflation (%) — the average yearly rate you expect. The Federal Reserve targets 2% a year; US CPI inflation averaged roughly 3% over the long run, with much higher spikes in some years.
Years — how far ahead to project.

Worked Examples

1. $1,000 over a decade

$1,000 at 3% for 10 years.

Future cost of the same goods: $1,343.92.
$1,000 received in 10 years is worth $744.09 today — a 25.6% loss in purchasing power.

2. Living costs in retirement

Someone spending $60,000 a year today retires in 20 years. Assume 3.5% inflation.

The same lifestyle will cost about $119,387 a year.
This is why retirement targets based on today's spending are usually too low.

3. A pay rise check

A 7.4% raise in a year with 8% inflation.

$5,000 of spending at 8% becomes $5,400. A 7.4% raise does not keep up, so real income fell slightly.

How It’s Calculated

Adjusted Value = Original × (CPI_target_year ÷ CPI_original_year).

How to Read Your Result

2–3% a year roughly halves purchasing power in about 24–36 years.
Rule of 72: divide 72 by the inflation rate to estimate how many years it takes prices to double (about 24 years at 3%).
Real return ≈ investment return − inflation. A 4% savings rate in 3% inflation grows real wealth by only about 1%.
Next step: size a long-term goal in future dollars, then plan it with the savings goal calculator.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using one unusual year (high or low) as a long-run assumption.
Ignoring that categories differ. Healthcare and education costs have often risen faster than overall CPI.
Comparing nominal amounts across decades without adjusting for inflation.
Forgetting inflation in retirement plans, where it compounds for 20–30 years.

Built and maintained by GenAlpha Tools Editorial. Uses the standard published formula shown above. How we calculate · Report an error

When to Use This Calculator

Estimate future costs for college, retirement or a home.
Convert a future amount into today's dollars.
Check whether a salary increase beat inflation.
Turn nominal investment returns into real returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is future cost calculated?

Future cost = amount × (1 + inflation rate)years. Today's value of a future amount = amount ÷ (1 + rate)years.

What inflation rate should I use?

For long-term planning many people use 2.5–3.5%. For the past, use actual CPI figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Does this use historical CPI data?

No. It projects using the constant rate you enter, which makes it suited to planning. For exact historical comparisons, use BLS CPI data.

What is purchasing power loss?

The share of value a dollar loses over the period. At 3% for 10 years, a dollar buys about 25.6% less.

Do you store the values I enter?

No. All calculations happen in your browser. Your data never leaves your device.

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