Inflation Calculator for United States
See how inflation erodes purchasing power and what money will be worth in the future.
Region: United States (USD)
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Quick Tip
Try 2% for the Fed's long-run target and 3–4% as a more cautious planning assumption.
About This Tool
Why use Inflation Calculator?
In the United States, inflation is most often reported through the Consumer Price Index (CPI), published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Federal Reserve aims for 2% inflation over time, measured by the PCE price index.
Even moderate inflation compounds quickly: at 3% a year, prices rise by roughly a third in ten years. Use this calculator to set savings goals in future dollars, to check whether a raise keeps pace with rising costs, or to see how much buying power cash loses while it sits in a low-interest account.
Key Benefits
Future cost of today's prices
Find out what a purchase that costs a given amount today may cost in the future.
Loss of buying power
See how much a fixed amount of dollars will be worth in today's terms after years of inflation.
Retirement and salary checks
Test whether savings targets and pay increases keep up with rising living costs.
How to use Inflation Calculator
- 1
Try 2% for the Fed's long-run target and 3–4% as a more cautious planning assumption.
- 2
Enter an amount of money.
- 3
Add an expected annual inflation rate.
- 4
Choose the number of years.
- 5
Review the future cost, today's equivalent value and total inflation.
Best use cases
Estimate how much income you will need in retirement to keep today's lifestyle.
Check whether your savings rate is actually beating inflation.
Work out what a pay rise needs to be just to keep pace with prices.
Estimate future school, university or wedding costs.
Inflation Calculator FAQs
Where can I find the official US inflation rate?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the CPI every month. The Federal Reserve's 2% target is measured with the PCE price index from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
What inflation rate should I use for long-term planning?
Many planners use 2–3% for long-term US projections. Using a slightly higher rate gives you a safety margin if inflation runs above target for several years.
How does inflation affect my savings?
If your savings earn less than the inflation rate, their real value falls even though the balance grows. Compare your after-tax interest rate with inflation to see whether you are gaining or losing buying power.
Which currency does this inflation calculator use?
Amounts are shown in US Dollars (USD). The formulas are the same everywhere, so you can switch to another country version if you need a different currency.
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