Inflation Calculator
See how inflation affects the value and buying power of money over time.
Result
Results are estimates for general information only and are not professional advice.
What inflation does to money
Inflation is the steady erosion of what a unit of currency can buy. The number in your account stays the same while the goods it commands quietly shrink, which is why cash left idle for a decade feels smaller even though nothing was spent. This calculator makes that invisible loss explicit in both directions: what a sum needs to grow to in order to hold its value, and what today's money will be worth later.
The formula behind it
The equivalent future amount is A × (1 + r)ⁿ, and the future purchasing power of a fixed sum is A ÷ (1 + r)ⁿ, where r is the annual inflation rate and n the number of years. At 4% inflation, 10,000 must become 14,802 over ten years merely to stand still — and 10,000 left untouched will buy what 6,756 buys today.
How to use this calculator
Enter the amount, the annual inflation rate and the number of years. The result shows both the inflated equivalent and the lost buying power. For a historical comparison, use the average rate over the period rather than the rate in any single year, since inflation moves considerably from year to year.
Why it matters for planning
Inflation is the reason a savings account paying less than the inflation rate loses money in real terms even though the balance rises. It is also why long-range plans — retirement, education costs, a house deposit years away — need to be set in future currency rather than today's. A practical rule: subtract inflation from any quoted return to get the real return, and judge every long-term decision on that number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Inflation Calculator?
See how inflation affects the value and buying power of money over time. It runs instantly in your browser and is completely free to use.
What do I need to enter to use the Inflation Calculator?
The Inflation Calculator asks for the following values (3): Amount, Inflation rate (%/yr), Years. Fill them in and the result appears immediately — the calculation runs on your own device, so nothing you type is sent to a server.
How accurate is the Inflation Calculator?
The Inflation Calculator uses standard, widely-accepted formulas, so its figures are reliable estimates for everyday planning. They are not a substitute for advice from a qualified professional.
Is the Inflation Calculator free, and do I need an account?
Yes. The Inflation Calculator — and every other calculator on Calculatis — is completely free, with no registration, no download and no limit on how often you use it.