Inflation Calculator
What money today will be worth later, and vice versa.
Enter your values
Enter the amount in $.
Enter the average inflation in %.
Enter the years in years.
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.
- Purchasing power in the future
- $27,683.79
- Equivalent future cost of today's basket
- $90,305.56
- Purchasing power lost
- 44.6%
- Price level multiple
- 1.81×
Quick answer
Inflation erodes purchasing power geometrically: value = amount ÷ (1 + inflation)^years for future purchasing power.
Real value = amount ÷ (1 + i)^t
At a glance
| What it does | What money today will be worth later, and vice versa. |
|---|---|
| Category | Finance |
| Inputs needed | Amount, Average inflation, Years |
| Main output | Purchasing power in the future |
| Formula | Real value = amount ÷ (1 + i)^t |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Inflation Calculator
- 1Enter the amount of money.
- 2Choose an average inflation rate.
- 3Set how many years forward to project.
Inputs explained
- Amount($)
- Enter the amount in $.
- Average inflation(%)
- Enter the average inflation in %.
- Years(years)
- Enter the years in years.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Amount50000 $
- Average inflation3 %
- Years20 years
Results
- Purchasing power in the future$27,683.79
- Equivalent future cost of today's basket$90,305.56
- Purchasing power lost44.6%
- Price level multiple1.81×
Frequently asked questions
What inflation rate should I use?
US long-run average is roughly 3%. The Federal Reserve targets 2% over the medium term.
Why does a small rate matter?
At 3%, prices double in about 24 years, so a fixed pension loses half its buying power over a typical retirement.
What do I need to enter into the Inflation Calculator?
Just 3 values: amount, average inflation, years. 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 Inflation Calculator work out the answer?
Inflation erodes purchasing power geometrically: value = amount ÷ (1 + inflation)^years for future purchasing power. It applies the formula Real value = amount ÷ (1 + i)^t and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Inflation 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.