Inflation Calculator
See how inflation erodes purchasing power over time.
Calculator
Future cost
$180.61
Purchasing power in 20 yrs
$55.37
Value lost
$44.63
What is inflation?
Inflation is the rate at which prices rise over time, reducing purchasing power. This calculator shows how much a given amount will be worth in the future, or what a past amount is worth today.
Example
$100 today is worth about $55.20 in 20 years at 3% annual inflation.
Money-saving tips
- •Invest to outpace inflation — savings accounts often lose purchasing power.
- •Use real (inflation-adjusted) returns when planning long-term goals.
- •The historical US inflation average is about 3% per year.
Common mistakes
- •Using nominal returns without adjusting for inflation.
Financial definitions
- Real return
- Investment return after subtracting inflation.
Frequently asked questions
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Estimated reading time: 4 min