Inflation is the rate at which the general prices for goods and services increase over time, causing each dollar to buy less than it did before.

Why does inflation matter for my savings?

Inflation reduces your money’s purchasing power, meaning that your savings may not go as far in the future as they do today.

How is the inflation rate determined?

The inflation rate is commonly measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks changes in the price of a typical basket of goods and services.

What does “Nominal Value” mean in the results?

Nominal value is the future amount of money without adjusting for inflation. It shows the raw total, not the real purchasing power.

How accurate are the results?

The calculator provides estimates based on the inflation rate you enter. Actual inflation may vary, so results are best used for planning and comparison.

Can I download or export my results?

Yes, you can copy your results or export them as a PDF or Excel file for your records or further analysis.

Inflation Calculator

See how inflation affects your money over time.

Inputs

Amount and inflation rate

Amount today ($)

Annual inflation (%)

Years (1–50)

Results

Purchasing power over time

Initial

$10,000

Nominal in 10 yrs

$13,439

Purchasing power

$7,441

Purchasing Power Over Time

Value in today's dollars (year 0 = initial)

Nominal vs Purchasing Power by Year

All 10 years

Yearly Breakdown

First 15 years. Download full schedule for all 10 years.

Year	Nominal value	Purchasing power
1	$10,300	$9,709
2	$10,609	$9,426
3	$10,927	$9,151
4	$11,255	$8,885
5	$11,593	$8,626
6	$11,941	$8,375
7	$12,299	$8,131
8	$12,668	$7,894
9	$13,048	$7,664
10	$13,439	$7,441

For educational and estimation purposes only; not financial or legal advice. Inflation in the U.S. (e.g. CPI) varies; this is a simplified projection.

How It Works

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using the calculator and understanding the results:

1. Enter Your Inputs

Amount ($): Type in the starting amount of money you want to analyze (for example, $10,000).
Inflation Rate (%): Enter the expected annual inflation rate. You can use the latest U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics or your estimate.
Number of Years: Choose how many years you would like to project into the future (e.g., 10 years).

2. Review the Results

Initial Value: Shows your starting amount.
Nominal Value in X Years: This is how much your money will be worth in the future if no inflation adjustment is made.
Purchasing Power: Tells you how much your future money will really be worth in today’s dollars, after accounting for inflation.

3. Visualize Your Results

Purchasing Power Over Time Chart: See how your money’s real value changes each year, making it easier to understand the long-term impact of inflation.
Nominal vs Purchasing Power by Year: Compare your money’s face value to its real, inflation-adjusted value year by year.

4. Yearly Breakdown Table

Get a clear, year-by-year summary showing both the nominal value and the inflation-adjusted purchasing power for each year.

5. Export or Copy Your Results

Copy: Instantly copy your results to your clipboard.
Export PDF: Download a PDF report for easy sharing or printing.

Export Excel: Download an Excel spreadsheet with all calculations for further analysis.

Understanding Inflation

Inflation is the gradual rise in prices over time, which means that money tends to lose purchasing power the longer you hold onto it. In simple terms, $100 today will likely buy you less in ten years due to inflation.

This is important for anyone planning for the future, whether you’re saving for retirement, a big purchase, or simply trying to understand what your money will be worth down the line.

Understanding inflation helps you make smarter decisions about saving, investing, and spending.

How This Calculator Helps

This Inflation Calculator is designed to help you see exactly how inflation can change the value of your money over time. By entering your starting dollar amount and an annual inflation rate, you can instantly see:

The future value of your money in nominal (not adjusted for inflation) terms
The actual purchasing power you’d have after inflation
A detailed year-by-year breakdown showing both nominal value and real (inflation-adjusted) value

These features make it easy to visualize and plan for the impact of inflation on your savings or investments.