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Financial calculator

Inflation Calculator

Estimate the future cost of an amount and its purchasing-power equivalent under inflation.

Build your scenario

Use your actual figures where available. The output is an educational estimate based on the assumptions below.

Amount today
Effective annual inflation rate
Time period

Results update as you type.

Amounts show a $ symbol for readability. Enter figures in your own currency.

FINANCIAL ESTIMATE
Purchasing-power equivalent
Increase in cost
Years
Results are estimates for education. Actual terms, rates, taxes, fees, compounding, and lender or investment conditions can change the outcome.

How this inflation calculator works

The rate you enter is treated as an effective annual inflation rate, compounded once per year. Future cost is today's amount grown by that rate each year. Purchasing power is today's amount reduced by the same rate. This is not a CPI download or a forecast.

Important: Review the assumptions shown under each input. Changing one assumption can materially change the result.

When to use this calculator

  • See how a price or cash amount might look after years of assumed inflation.
  • Translate today's amount into a purchasing-power equivalent at the same rate.
  • Compare two inflation assumptions (for example 2% vs 4%) on the same horizon.

Related education

Read the guide →   Browse all financial guides →

Frequently asked questions

Does this use official CPI?

No. You type the annual rate. We do not fetch government inflation data.

Is the result a prediction?

No. It applies the same rate every year to the amount you entered.

How is inflation compounded here?

Once per year at the effective annual rate you provide, not a monthly CPI series.