CalcMyFin

Saving & Investing

Inflation Calculator

See how rising prices change the value of money. Find out what today's price will be in the future, and how much today's dollars will actually buy, at the inflation rate you choose.

  • Free, no sign-up
  • Private: runs in your browser
  • Updated September 2026

Inflation inputs

$
yr
%/yr

Tip: 2% is the Federal Reserve's long-run target; many planners use 2.5–3.5% for long-term goals.

How to use the inflation calculator

  1. Enter an amount of money or a price today.
  2. Choose how many years into the future.
  3. Set an average yearly inflation rate. The Federal Reserve's long-run target is 2%.

How it's calculated

With an average inflation rate i over t years:

Future cost = Amount × (1 + i)t

Future purchasing power = Amount ÷ (1 + i)t

The first shows what the same goods will cost later. The second shows what today's cash, left uninvested, will be worth in today's dollars.

Example

At 3% average inflation, something that costs $100 today would cost about $180.61 in 20 years. Put the other way, $100 kept as cash would buy only about $55.37 worth of today's goods.

Tips

  • Cash left in a 0% account loses buying power every year inflation is positive.
  • Use inflation-adjusted numbers when planning long-term goals like retirement.
  • Series I savings bonds and TIPS are designed to keep pace with inflation.
  • Negotiate raises that at least match inflation to maintain your real income.

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal inflation rate?
The Federal Reserve targets 2% average inflation over the long run. Actual inflation varies. It has been much higher at times, such as in the early 1980s and 2022. Try a few rates to see the range.
How is inflation measured in the US?
The most common measure is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It tracks the prices of a broad basket of goods and services.
How do I protect my money from inflation?
Earning a return above the inflation rate preserves purchasing power. Common tools include high-yield savings (short term), diversified investments (long term), I bonds and TIPS.
Why does my retirement plan need to consider inflation?
Retirement can last decades. At 3% inflation, prices roughly double in about 24 years, so a fixed income buys about half as much by the end.
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Sources

This calculator provides educational estimates only and is not financial, tax, legal or investment advice. Results depend on the assumptions you enter; actual terms from lenders, insurers and tax authorities may differ.