DIY Cost Tools
Inflation Calculator
FINANCIAL CALCULATOR
Project a future price and the purchasing power of money using an assumed annual inflation rate.
How it works
The tool applies the same inflation rate every year. It shows both the future cost of today’s amount and what the same nominal dollars could buy after inflation.
Formula
Future cost = current amount × (1 + inflation rate)years. Future buying power = current amount ÷ (1 + inflation rate)years.
Worked example
At 3% annual inflation for 10 years, a $100 item would cost about $134.39, while $100 in the future would have about $74.41 of today’s purchasing power.
Important limits
- Real inflation changes over time and varies across goods, services, households, and locations.
- This is a projection from a user-entered rate, not a historical CPI lookup.
- Deflation can be modeled with a negative rate above −100%.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the official CPI inflation calculator?
No. It projects a constant rate. Historical comparisons should use official CPI data.
Why are future cost and buying power different?
One asks how the price grows; the other asks how much less the same dollar amount can purchase.
Sources and review notes
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that the Consumer Price Index measures average price change over time for a representative basket of consumer goods and services. Last reviewed September 29, 2026.