See how inflation changes the future cost and purchasing power of money over time. Free and instant.
Inflation erodes the value of money over time. Enter an amount, an expected annual inflation rate and a number of years to see the future cost of the same goods and the shrinking purchasing power of that money.
An inflation calculator shows how rising prices reshape the value of money.
Enter an amount, an expected annual inflation rate and a time horizon, and it
returns the future cost of the same basket of goods plus the shrinking
purchasing power of that money in today’s terms.
Because inflation compounds, small yearly rates add up. At 3% a year, prices
roughly double in about 24 years while the buying power of a fixed sum steadily
falls. Seeing both sides of that coin makes it easier to plan savings, salaries
and long-term goals against a moving target.
How to use
Enter the amount of money.
Enter the expected annual inflation rate.
Enter the number of years to project.
Formula
Inflation compounds each year, raising prices and lowering purchasing power.
At 3% inflation, goods costing $1,000 today will cost about $1,344 in ten years, and $1,000 will buy only about $744 of today's goods.
Frequently asked questions
What is a typical inflation rate?
Many central banks target around 2% per year. Actual inflation varies — use a rate that reflects your region and time horizon.
What does purchasing power mean?
It is how much your money can actually buy. At 3% inflation, $1,000 today has the buying power of about $744 in ten years.
How can I protect against inflation?
Investments that historically outpace inflation — such as diversified stocks or inflation-linked bonds — help preserve purchasing power, though all carry risk.