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About the inflation calculator
Inflation means prices go up over time, so the same money buys less. A coffee that costs $4 today may cost $5 in ten years. This calculator turns an inflation rate into numbers you can feel.
Choose one of three views:
- Future price — what something that costs an amount today will cost in some years
- Future buying power — how much your money will really buy in some years, in today's money
- Price in the past — what a price from some years ago would be today
You type the amount, the number of years and the average inflation per year. The calculator uses the same rate for every year.
How to use it
- Pick Future price, Future buying power or Price in the past
- Type the amount and the number of years — or press 5, 10, 20, 30 or 50
- Type the average inflation per year, or press 2%, 3%, 4%, 6% or 8%
- Read the result and the change in percent
- Open More options and tick Show a table for each year to see every year
What $100 costs later
The price in the future of something that costs $100 today:
| Inflation | 5 years | 10 years | 20 years | 30 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2% | $110.41 | $121.90 | $148.59 | $181.14 |
| 3% | $115.93 | $134.39 | $180.61 | $242.73 |
| 4% | $121.67 | $148.02 | $219.11 | $324.34 |
| 6% | $133.82 | $179.08 | $320.71 | $574.35 |
What your money buys later
With 3% inflation, $100 kept under the mattress buys only:
- $74.41 worth of things in 10 years
- $55.37 worth in 20 years
- $41.20 worth in 30 years
That is why money that sits in an account with a very low interest rate loses value every year.
The formula
future price = amount × (1 + rate)^years and buying power = amount ÷ (1 + rate)^years. With 3% for 10 years the factor is 1.03^10 = 1.3439, so prices rise by about 34%.
Real inflation is not a straight line
The rate changes from year to year. In the USA the yearly average was about 7% in the 1970s, about 3% in the 1990s and below 2% for much of the 2010s. Use the average you think is fair, or try a few — 2%, 3% and 4% give a good range.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal inflation rate?
Many central banks aim for about 2% a year. Rates can be much higher in some years and some countries.
How do I find what a past price is worth today?
Choose Price in the past, type the old amount, the years and the average rate. For exact history, check the official price index of your country.
Why does my salary need to grow?
If prices go up 3% a year and your pay stays the same, you can buy about 3% less every year. A raise of at least the inflation rate keeps your buying power the same.
How does inflation affect savings?
If your savings earn less than inflation, they lose buying power. If they earn more, they grow in real terms. Compare with the Compound Interest Calculator.
Is it a forecast?
No. It uses the rate you type. Nobody knows future inflation.
Good to know
- Works with any currency — choose it at the top
- Your numbers are saved only in this browser
- Nothing you type is sent anywhere
Related tools
- Compound Interest Calculator — how money grows
- Retirement Calculator — plan with inflation
- Percentage Calculator — any percent change
- Savings Goal Calculator — save with interest
- Hourly to Salary Calculator — see your pay in other periods
