Inflation Calculator — What Your Dollars Will Actually Be Worth
See how inflation erodes purchasing power over time — or calculate equivalent past dollar amounts.
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Based on your inputs
- What $10,000 will cost in 20 years
- $18,061
At 3.0% annual inflation
| Future Value Needed | $18,061 |
|---|---|
| Today's Buying Power in the Future | $5,537 |
| Lost Purchasing Power | $4,463 |
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Formula: Future value = Present × (1 + inflation)^years. For $100 at 3% inflation over 10 years: 100 × 1.03^10 = $134.39. You'd need that much to maintain today's purchasing power.
The live CPI badge above shows the Consumer Price Index, published monthly by BLS. Year-over-year CPI change is the headline inflation rate — currently tracking around 2.5-3% in 2026.
At 3% annual inflation, prices double every ~24 years. $100,000 today buys only $55,000 of today's goods in 20 years. Salaries, rents, and investment returns need to exceed inflation to represent real growth.
CPI (BLS) is more commonly reported and matches consumer experience. PCE (BEA) is what the Fed targets (2%). PCE typically runs 0.3-0.5% below CPI. For personal planning, use CPI.
Primary sources & authoritative references
Every formula on this page traces to a federal agency, central bank, or peer-reviewed institution. We cite the rule-makers, not secondhand blogs.
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Calculations are for educational purposes only. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personalized advice.