Inflation Calculator
What money is worth later or earlier at a rate you choose — no live CPI feed. Click any i for detail.
Inflation
Amount ($)
i
Amount
Today’s dollars (or the amount you want to compare). |
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|---|---|
Annual inflation (%)
i
Rate
Long-run US CPI is often sketched ~2–3%. Enter any rate. |
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Years
i
Years
How far forward or back. |
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Direction
i
Direction
Future purchasing power, or past equivalent. |
How to use this calculator
- Enter an amount.
- Enter an annual inflation rate.
- Set years.
- Choose future or past equivalent.
Results explained
Future = PV × (1+r)^n. Past = PV ÷ (1+r)^n. Purchasing power left is 1/(1+r)^n.
Quick reference: inflation
Rule-of-thumb doubling times (Rule of 72).
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| 2% inflation | ≈ 36 years to double prices |
| 3% inflation | ≈ 24 years |
| 6% inflation | ≈ 12 years |
| This page | No live CPI — you pick r |
Actual CPI varies by basket and year.
How the estimate is built
FV = PV(1+r)^n. Past equivalent = PV / (1+r)^n.
Example scenario
$10,000 at 3% for 10 years → future $13,439, or about 74% of today’s purchasing power if you held cash.
FAQ
Why no automatic CPI?
Calcscape tools stay offline/math-only.
Is this investment return?
Inflation erodes cash. Real return ≈ nominal − inflation (approx).
Monthly inflation?
Convert to an effective annual rate first.