What inflation rate should I use?

For long-term US planning, 2.5–3% is a common rule of thumb based on the Federal Reserve’s 2% target plus a margin. Use the historical presets to see how rates have differed across decades and regions. Always check your country’s official CPI for a precise figure.

What’s the difference between Future and Past mode?

Future mode projects today’s amount forward in time: $1000 today at 3% over 10 years becomes $1343.91 — that’s what you’d need to match today’s buying power. Past mode looks backward: $1000 today was equivalent to $744.09 ten years ago at 3% inflation.

How is purchasing power calculated?

Purchasing power = amount ÷ (1 + rate)^years. A 3% rate over 10 years divides today’s nominal amount by 1.344, so the real value falls to about 74% of nominal.

Why does the result differ from another inflation calculator?

Most calculators use the same compound-growth formula, so differences usually come down to the inflation rate (annual average vs year-by-year actual CPI) and rounding. For official figures, use your country’s central bank or statistics bureau calculator.

Finance Tools

Inflation Calculator

See how inflation changes the value of money over time. Enter an amount, a number of years and an annual inflation rate (default 3%), then choose Future mode to project what today’s amount will be worth, or Past mode to find what a past amount equals today. Quick presets load historical average inflation rates for the US, Euro area and UK.

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How to use

1
Enter the amount
Type the amount of money you want to inflate or deflate. Pick the currency from the dropdown.
2
Set the years and rate
Enter the number of years and the annual inflation rate. Default is 3% — close to long-term US CPI averages. Use a quick preset for a historical rate.
3
Pick Future or Past
Future mode shows what today’s money will be worth going forward. Past mode shows what past money is worth today. Toggle at any time.
4
Read the result
The big number is the equivalent cost (future) or past value (past). The list below shows purchasing power, the inflation premium/discount and the cumulative factor.

Common use cases

Compare a 1990 salary to today’s equivalent to see real wage growth.
Project what $100k will be worth in 20 years to plan long-term savings.
Stress-test a fixed pension against expected inflation over retirement.
Understand why a 3% raise barely keeps up with 3% inflation.

Limitations

This calculator produces an estimate only and is not professional financial, tax or investment advice. Always confirm the underlying formulae with your accountant, bank or financial advisor before making decisions.
The calculator applies a constant annual inflation rate. Real inflation varies year to year and can be highly volatile (e.g. the 1970s in the US, or hyperinflation episodes).
The historical rate presets are broad averages across multi-decade periods and may not reflect your country, basket of goods, or specific timeframe. Always verify against official CPI data for your jurisdiction.
The model uses compound annual growth. For very long horizons, small rate differences produce large gaps — sanity-check the rate you choose.
We do not account for taxes, investment returns, or salary growth — only the pure effect of inflation on purchasing power.

Frequently asked questions

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Loading Inflation Calculator…

Inflation Calculator

How to use

Enter the amount

Type the amount of money you want to inflate or deflate. Pick the currency from the dropdown.

Set the years and rate

Enter the number of years and the annual inflation rate. Default is 3% — close to long-term US CPI averages. Use a quick preset for a historical rate.

Pick Future or Past

Future mode shows what today’s money will be worth going forward. Past mode shows what past money is worth today. Toggle at any time.

Read the result

The big number is the equivalent cost (future) or past value (past). The list below shows purchasing power, the inflation premium/discount and the cumulative factor.

Limitations

This calculator produces an estimate only and is not professional financial, tax or investment advice. Always confirm the underlying formulae with your accountant, bank or financial advisor before making decisions.
The calculator applies a constant annual inflation rate. Real inflation varies year to year and can be highly volatile (e.g. the 1970s in the US, or hyperinflation episodes).
The historical rate presets are broad averages across multi-decade periods and may not reflect your country, basket of goods, or specific timeframe. Always verify against official CPI data for your jurisdiction.
The model uses compound annual growth. For very long horizons, small rate differences produce large gaps — sanity-check the rate you choose.
We do not account for taxes, investment returns, or salary growth — only the pure effect of inflation on purchasing power.