About this inflation calculator
Estimate how much money you would need in the future to buy the same basket of goods as today, using a constant assumed annual inflation rate. Enter an amount, rate and time period to compare three distinct figures: the future equivalent cost, the additional money needed to cover that cost, and the purchasing power of a fixed amount in today’s money. Use the monthly or yearly schedule to follow the modeled change over time. This is an illustration of a chosen rate, not a forecast of actual prices.
How the inflation calculator works
Future equivalent cost = current amount × (1 + annual inflation rate / 100)^years. Additional amount needed is future cost minus current cost. Purchasing power in today’s money = current amount ÷ (1 + annual inflation rate / 100)^years. The schedule models the future cost at each monthly checkpoint.
Inflation Calculator examples
$1,000 today; 6% annual inflation; 10 years
$1,790.85 future equivalent value; $790.85 additional amount needed; a fixed $1,000 has about $558.39 in today’s purchasing power
$1,000 today; 3% annual inflation; 5 years
$1,159.27 future equivalent value; $159.27 additional amount needed
Limitations & privacy
Assumes one constant inflation rate for the entire period; real-world inflation varies year to year and by what you're buying. This is an illustrative estimate, not a forecast.
Inputs and results stay in this browser. Only tool identifiers are stored for your recently used tools. You can clear that history from the directory.
Inflation Calculator: frequently asked questions
How does the inflation calculator work?
Future equivalent cost = current amount × (1 + annual inflation rate / 100)^years. Additional amount needed is future cost minus current cost. Purchasing power in today’s money = current amount ÷ (1 + annual inflation rate / 100)^years. The schedule models the future cost at each monthly checkpoint.
What can I inspect in the inflation calculator result?
The inflation scenario assumptions helps you check the result before using it. Assumes one constant inflation rate for the entire period; real-world inflation varies year to year and by what you're buying. This is an illustrative estimate, not a forecast.
Does the inflation calculator upload my input?
Processing happens in your browser. No tool input or output is uploaded to a server. Use Reset to clear the current workspace before starting a separate task.
Updated September 20, 2026