Inflation Calculator
Calculate inflation-adjusted values using historical CPI data from 1950-2026. See what past dollars are worth today, or project how much you'll need in the future to maintain purchasing power.
How to Use Inflation Calculator
How to Use Inflation Calculator
Historical Inflation Mode
Calculate what money from the past is worth today, or vice versa.
Select "Historical Inflation" mode (default).
Try Example Presets: Click presets like "$100 in 1990", "$1,000 in 2000", "$50,000 Salary (2010)", or "$100K Today → 1980".
Enter Amount: Input the dollar amount you want to convert.
Select From Year: Choose the starting year (1950-2026 available).
Select To Year: Choose the ending year.
Optional - Custom Rate: Check "Use custom inflation rate" to override historical CPI data with your own rate.
Click Calculate: See the inflation-adjusted value.
Review Results: See total inflation percentage, average annual rate, and purchasing power change.
View Year-by-Year: Click "Show Table" to see detailed breakdown by year with CPI values.
Future Projection Mode
Calculate how much you'll need in the future to maintain today's purchasing power.
Select "Future Projection" mode.
Enter Today's Amount: Input current dollar value.
Enter Years: How many years in the future.
Enter Expected Inflation: Estimated annual inflation rate (historically ~3%).
Click Calculate: See how much you'll need to have the same purchasing power.
Understanding Results
- Total Inflation: Cumulative inflation over the period.
- Average Annual Rate: Compound annual inflation rate.
- Purchasing Power Change: How much value money has lost (or gained if going backward).
- CPI (Consumer Price Index): Government measure of average prices.
Tips
- Use historical mode to understand salary changes over time
- Future mode helps plan retirement and savings goals
- Historical US inflation averages about 3% per year
- High inflation years (1970s-80s) had 10%+ annual rates
- Recent years (2021-2023) saw higher than average inflation
Frequently Asked Questions
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