Inflation Calculator

Use the Inflation Calculator when you want to see how the figures change under a particular set of assumptions. Enter the values you know, review the result and compare a second scenario if you are weighing an option.

$
%
Future cost of the same goods
$1,343.92
Buying power of that amount later$744.09
Total inflation34.39%
✉ Email me this result
</> Embed this calculator

Paste this into any website or blog post. It is free — the small "powered by" link must stay visible.

Sources & methodology

Last reviewed January 15, 2026 — see our editorial & accuracy policy.

Method: Adjusts amounts using compound price growth: future price = present × (1 + i)ᵗ. Historical comparisons follow the CPI-U approach used by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How it works

Costs rise by compounding: future cost = amount × (1 + rate)years. Buying power moves the opposite way: amount ÷ (1 + rate)years shows what a fixed sum would be worth in today equivalent goods after that many years.

How to use the Inflation Calculator

Enter the values requested by the tool and start with one realistic example. Read the result together with its unit or label, then change one input at a time if you want to compare options. Keeping a note of the original figures makes the calculation easier to check later.

Use the result as a planning estimate rather than a quote or guarantee. Rates, fees, tax rules and personal circumstances can change the final figure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What inflation rate should I use?
Many developed economies target around 2 to 3 percent per year, but it varies. Use a figure that matches your country and time period.
What is the difference between future cost and buying power?
Future cost is what the same basket of goods will cost later. Buying power is how much a fixed amount of money will actually buy after inflation.
Does this use historical inflation data?
No, it projects forward using the single rate you enter, so you can model any scenario.