Inflation Calculator
Inflation pushes prices up, so the same money buys less every year. This calculator shows what an amount will cost in the future and how much buying power it will lose.
Enter an amount, an inflation rate, and a number of years. You get both figures.
Money details
Use a negative rate for deflation.
What inflation does to it
- It will cost, in 10 years
- $1,343.92
- Buying power then
- $744.09
- Value lost
- $255.91
The note shrinks to 74% of its size, it buys what $744.09 buys today
Buying power, year by year
In 10 years at 3% inflation, $1,000.00 will only buy what $744.09 buys today. What costs $1,000.00 now will cost $1,343.92.
Buying power by year
| Year | Buying power |
|---|---|
| 1 | $970.87 |
| 2 | $942.60 |
| 3 | $915.14 |
| 4 | $888.49 |
| 5 | $862.61 |
| 6 | $837.48 |
| 7 | $813.09 |
| 8 | $789.41 |
| 9 | $766.42 |
| 10 | $744.09 |
Before you rely on this
Results are generic estimates using standard time-value-of-money formulas, the same math everywhere. Real-world figures depend on your country's tax rules, rounding, fees, and lender or product terms, which vary by jurisdiction. Treat this as a guide and confirm important numbers with a local professional.
How the inflation calculation works
Future cost: the amount times (1 + rate) to the power of the years. Buying power runs the other way: divide by the same factor to see what a future amount is worth in today's money.
Long-run inflation in many economies averages a few percent a year. Even a small rate adds up: at 3% a year, prices roughly double in about 24 years.
Tips
- Compare your savings rate to inflation. If the account pays less, your money is losing value.
- For long-term goals, build inflation into the target itself so you save enough.
- Investments that beat inflation protect your buying power. Cash usually doesn't.
Frequently asked questions
What will my money be worth in the future?
Less than today, because prices rise. Divide the amount by (1 + rate) to the power of the years to get its future buying power. The calculator shows it instantly.
How do I calculate the effect of inflation?
Compound the rate over the years. For future cost, multiply by (1 + rate) to that power. For buying power, divide by the same factor.
Why does inflation matter for saving?
If your savings grow slower than inflation, you lose buying power even while the balance rises. Aim for a return that beats inflation, especially on long-term money.