See how inflation erodes purchasing power: what an amount today will cost in the future, and what today's cash will actually buy then.
How it works
- Enter a monetary amount.
- Enter the projected average inflation rate and timeframe.
- The calculator compounds the inflation rate to show the decreased future purchasing power.
Frequently asked questions
What rate should I use?
Long-run US CPI averages near 3%; recent years have varied widely. Try a range (2–5%) to see best and worst cases.
Why does my savings rate matter here?
If your savings earn less than inflation, you are losing purchasing power even while the balance grows.
Is this an official CPI lookup?
No — it is a constant-rate projection. Official CPI data varies year by year.