Inflation Calculator

See how inflation changes the value of money over time — both what a basket will cost later and what today’s money will be worth.

Read the guide: How Inflation Eats Away at Your Money

Money over time

What $1,000 will cost

$1,806

In 20 years at 3.0% a year

Buying power of $1,000
$554
Total inflation
80.6%

Assumes a constant yearly rate. Real inflation moves around. Estimates for context only.

How it works

  1. 1

    Enter an amount

    Add a dollar figure in today’s money.

  2. 2

    Set the rate and years

    Choose an annual inflation rate and a number of years.

  3. 3

    See the effect

    View the future cost and the shrinking buying power side by side.

Instant & 100% private — nothing is uploaded

Every calculation runs locally in your browser. The income, balances and goals you enter stay on your own device and are never sent to a server — nothing is stored, logged or shared.

Frequently asked questions

What inflation rate should I use?
Long-run US inflation has averaged roughly 2–3% a year, though it swings. Use a figure that matches the period or scenario you are thinking about.
What is buying power?
It is how much your money can actually purchase. As prices rise, the same dollar amount buys less, so a fixed sum loses buying power over time.