Inflation Calculator
Calculate how inflation affects your money's purchasing power over time. See the real value of your savings adjusted for inflation.
Enter Details
Choose future cost or past value mode, enter amount, inflation rate, and time period, then click Calculate to see your inflation assessment with detailed charts and guidance.
Future Cost
$0
Original Amount
$0
Purchasing Power Lost
$0
Cumulative Inflation
0%
Real Value
$0
Purchasing Power
Value Over Time
Compare Inflation Rates
Inflation Rate Scale
Rate Comparison
| Rate | Future Cost | Real Value |
|---|
Yearly Breakdown
| Year | Nominal | Real Value |
|---|
Complete User Guide
What is Inflation?
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises over time, eroding purchasing power. It means that each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services as time goes on. Inflation is measured as an annual percentage increase.
Future Value = Present Value × (1 + r)ⁿ
Where r is the annual inflation rate (as a decimal) and n is the number of years. This formula shows how much money you would need in the future to have the same purchasing power as a given amount today.
Inflation Categories
Deflation: Rate < 0%
Prices are falling. While consumers benefit short-term, prolonged deflation can harm the economy by discouraging spending and investment.
Low to Moderate: Rate 0% - 4%
Healthy inflation range. Most central banks target around 2% annual inflation, which encourages spending and investment while keeping prices relatively stable.
High: Rate 4% - 7%
Above-target inflation. Purchasing power erodes noticeably. Savings in low-yield accounts lose real value. Consider inflation-protected investments.
Very High: Rate 7% - 10%
Significantly elevated inflation. Money loses value rapidly. Essential costs increase substantially. Diversified investment strategies become critical.
Extreme / Hyperinflation: Rate > 10%
Extremely high inflation that can destabilize economies. Historical examples include Zimbabwe (2008) and Venezuela (2018+). Asset protection becomes paramount.
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose your calculation mode — Future Cost or Past Value
- Enter the dollar amount you want to analyze
- Set the annual inflation rate (US average is around 3%%)
- Enter the time period in years
- Click 'Calculate Inflation' to see your results
- Review the charts and detailed assessment
- Use the rate comparison table to see how different rates affect the outcome
Understanding Your Results
Future Cost / Today's Value
In Future Cost mode: the amount you'll need in the future to match today's purchasing power. In Past Value mode: what a past amount would be worth in today's dollars.
Purchasing Power Lost
The dollar amount of purchasing power eroded by inflation over the time period. This is the difference between the nominal value and the real value.
Cumulative Inflation
The total percentage increase in prices over the entire period. For example, at 3% annual inflation over 10 years, cumulative inflation is about 34.4%.
Real Value
The value of your money adjusted for inflation. This shows what your money is actually worth in today's purchasing power after accounting for price increases.
Understanding the Charts
Purchasing Power Gauge
A circular gauge showing what percentage of your purchasing power remains after inflation. The color reflects the severity (green = well preserved, red = heavily eroded).
Value Over Time
A line chart showing nominal value (what the amount grows to) and real value (actual purchasing power) year by year. The growing gap between the two lines illustrates inflation's impact.
Compare Inflation Rates
A bar chart comparing future costs at rates of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 7%, and 10%. Color-coded from green (low) to red (high) to show sensitivity to the assumed rate.
Inflation Rate Scale
A visual scale showing all inflation rate categories with a marker indicating your current rate. Provides a quick, at-a-glance understanding of inflation severity.
Inflation Formulas
The equations used for calculating the effect of inflation:
Future Cost:
FV = PV × (1 + r)ⁿ
Real Value (Purchasing Power):
RV = FV / (1 + r)ⁿ
Cumulative Inflation:
CI = ((1 + r)ⁿ - 1) × 100%
Historical Average Inflation Rates
Average annual inflation rates for major economies. These are approximate historical averages and actual rates vary year to year.
| Country / Region | Avg Annual Rate | Period |
|---|---|---|
| United States | ~3.0% | 1913-2024 |
| United Kingdom | ~4.1% | 1950-2024 |
| Eurozone | ~2.0% | 1999-2024 |
| Japan | ~1.5% | 1970-2024 |
| Canada | ~3.1% | 1950-2024 |
| Australia | ~4.8% | 1950-2024 |
Important Notes
- This calculator uses a constant annual inflation rate. In reality, inflation varies year to year and by category of goods and services.
- To protect against inflation, consider investments that historically outpace it: diversified stock portfolios, real estate, I-bonds, and TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities).
- The U.S. Federal Reserve targets an average inflation rate of 2% per year. Actual rates can vary significantly from this target.
- For financial planning, consult with a qualified financial advisor who can provide personalized advice based on your situation.
Effects of High Inflation
High inflation can negatively impact:
- Savings and fixed incomes
- Retirement planning
- Loan and mortgage affordability
- Consumer purchasing power
- Business planning and investment
- Wage growth lagging behind prices
Strategies Against Inflation
Ways to protect your purchasing power:
- Diversified stock portfolio investments
- Real estate and REITs
- Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS)
- I-Bonds (Series I Savings Bonds)
- Commodities and precious metals
- Negotiating regular salary increases