Cost of Raising a Child Calculator
Total spend from birth to 18, adjusted for inflation.
Enter your values
Enter the monthly cost now in $.
Enter the annual childcare (first 5 yrs) in $.
Enter the inflation in %/yr.
Enter the years to fund you are working with.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Total to age 18
- $300,658.12
- Average per year
- $16,703.23
- Average per month
- $1,391.94
- First-year cost
- $19,800.00
Quick answer
Total child cost compounds monthly spending across 18 years with inflation, plus one-off items like childcare and education.
total = sum over years of monthly x 12 x (1+inflation)^year
At a glance
| What it does | Total spend from birth to 18, adjusted for inflation. |
|---|---|
| Category | Finance |
| Inputs needed | Monthly cost now, Annual childcare (first 5 yrs), Inflation, Years to fund |
| Main output | Total to age 18 |
| Formula | total = sum over years of monthly x 12 x (1+inflation)^year |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Cost of Raising a Child Calculator
- 1Estimate what a child adds to your monthly spending today.
- 2Add annual childcare for the pre-school years.
- 3Apply a realistic inflation rate — childcare and education outpace headline CPI.
Inputs explained
- Monthly cost now($)
- Enter the monthly cost now in $.
- Annual childcare (first 5 yrs)($)
- Enter the annual childcare (first 5 yrs) in $.
- Inflation(%/yr)
- Enter the inflation in %/yr.
- Years to fund
- Enter the years to fund you are working with.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Monthly cost now900 $
- Annual childcare (first 5 yrs)9000 $
- Inflation3 %/yr
- Years to fund18
Results
- Total to age 18$300,658.12
- Average per year$16,703.23
- Average per month$1,391.94
- First-year cost$19,800.00
Frequently asked questions
Does this include university?
No. Add tuition separately with a college savings calculator.
Why so high?
Housing, food and childcare compound; USDA-style estimates land in a similar range.
What do I need to enter into the Cost of Raising a Child Calculator?
Just 4 values: monthly cost now, annual childcare (first 5 yrs), inflation, years to fund. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Cost of Raising a Child Calculator work out the answer?
Total child cost compounds monthly spending across 18 years with inflation, plus one-off items like childcare and education. It applies the formula total = sum over years of monthly x 12 x (1+inflation)^year and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Cost of Raising a Child Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.