Inflation Calculator

Calculate the effect of inflation on purchasing power. Find out how much a past dollar amount is worth today, or project future value of money at a given inflation rate.

Used 6.3K times today

Amount ($)

Start Year

End Year

Custom Inflation Rate (%) — leave blank to use avg 3%

How to Use Inflation Calculator

1

Enter the original amount

Input the dollar amount you want to evaluate — a past price, salary, or savings balance.
2

Set start and end years

Choose the starting year and the target year to measure the change in purchasing power.
3

Review adjusted value

See what the original amount is worth in the target year and understand how much purchasing power has been gained or lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is purchasing power?

Purchasing power refers to the quantity of goods and services that a unit of currency can buy. Inflation erodes purchasing power over time — $100 today buys less than $100 did 20 years ago.

What inflation rate is used by default?

The calculator uses the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) historical averages by default. You can also enter a custom rate to model different economic scenarios.

Can I use this to plan for future retirement expenses?

Yes. By projecting forward with an assumed inflation rate, you can estimate how much today's expenses will cost in retirement and plan your savings accordingly.

About Inflation Calculator

The Inflation Calculator on Utilko helps you understand the real value of money across time. Whether you want to know what $50,000 from 1990 is worth today, or how much your current salary will need to grow to maintain its purchasing power over the next decade, this tool gives you clear, immediate answers.

Inflation is one of the most overlooked factors in long-term financial planning. Seeing its compounding effect laid out year by year makes it tangible and actionable. All calculations are performed instantly in your browser.

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