Inflation calculator
See how inflation raises prices and shrinks what your money buys over time.
- 100% free
- No sign-up
- Runs in your browser
How to use Inflation calculator
- Enter an amount
- Choose the years and direction
- Read the result
Your money
Future cost
Enter an amount, an inflation rate and a number of years.
Next: Compound interest calculator · Retirement calculator · Salary calculator
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How to use Inflation calculator
Enter an amount
Type an amount of money and the average yearly inflation rate you expect, or tap 2%, 3% or 5%.
Choose the years and direction
Enter the number of years, and look ahead to the future or back to the past.
Read the result
See the future cost, what the money will buy in today’s terms, the total inflation and a table for every year.
Why use Utils365
Both directions
Look ahead to see what things will cost, or back to see what an old amount is worth in today’s money.
Purchasing power
See how much less your money will buy, as an amount and a percentage.
Year by year
A table shows the cost and buying power for every year, so you can plan ahead.
Private and free
Nothing you type leaves your browser, and there’s nothing to sign up for.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the effect of inflation?
Future cost = amount × (1 + inflation rate)^years. Something costing 100 today costs 134.39 after 10 years at 3% inflation.
What is purchasing power?
What your money can buy. At 3% inflation for 10 years, 100 will only buy what 74.41 buys today, a loss of about 26%.
Does it use official CPI data?
No. It uses the average rate you enter, so it works for any country and any period, but it doesn’t download official consumer price index figures. Use your country’s statistics office for exact past inflation.
What inflation rate should I use?
Many central banks aim for 2% a year. Over the long run, many countries have averaged around 3%, while recent years went much higher. Try a few rates to see a range.
How long does it take for prices to double?
Divide 72 by the inflation rate. At 3% prices double in about 24 years; at 6% in about 12.
How do I protect savings from inflation?
Money needs to earn more than inflation to keep its value. If savings earn 2% while inflation is 3%, they lose about 1% of their buying power each year.