Inflation calculator

See what today’s money will be worth in the future, and how much buying power inflation erodes.

Last reviewed: August 2026 · Figures are estimates for general planning only — see the explanation below for this calculator's specific assumptions.

3.5%
10

if prices rise at 3.5% a year, something costing $1,000 today will cost about $1,411 in 10 years — a purchasing power loss of about $291. See how inflation factors into a full retirement plan

Two ways of looking at the same number

This shows the same effect from two angles: the future cost is what something costing this amount today will cost after this many years of inflation. The purchasing power lost is the flip side — how much less this same amount of money will be able to buy by then, in today’s terms.

This projects forward from a rate you choose — it is not official inflation data

This calculator does not use real historical inflation data (actual CPI figures) for any country — it simply compounds whatever rate you enter forward at a constant pace, which real-world inflation never actually does (it varies year to year). Use it to explore "what if" scenarios, not as an official record of how prices have changed historically.

Frequently asked questions

Does this use real historical inflation data?

No — it projects forward from whatever inflation rate you enter, applied at a constant pace every year. Real-world inflation varies year to year and differs by country, so this is a "what if" planning tool, not an official historical record.

Why does this show two different numbers?

They’re the same underlying effect described two ways: "future cost" tells you what a fixed item will cost later, and "purchasing power lost" tells you how much less a fixed amount of money sitting still will be able to buy by then — useful depending on whether you’re planning around a price or around a savings amount.

Does this convert between currencies?

No — selecting a currency only changes the displayed symbol and digit grouping, not the underlying numbers. There is no exchange rate applied.

Common questions answered

Your recent searches

Loading…

What people are doing

Loading…

Anonymous, not linked to any account — based only on real calculations made on this page. Click any entry to see it worked out.