Inflation Calculator
See what an amount of money is worth today after years of inflation.
A dollar today won't buy the same amount in 10 or 20 years — this shows how a custom inflation rate erodes (or historically eroded) purchasing power over any time span.
Why this matters for long-term planning
Retirement and savings goals set in today's dollars need to account for inflation, or they'll fall short of the actual future cost of living — a target that looks comfortable today may not be, decades from now, without adjusting for it.
Frequently asked questions
What inflation rate should I use for planning?
Long-term US inflation has historically averaged around 2-3% annually, though any given year or decade can vary significantly — many financial planners use 3% as a conservative planning assumption.
Does this use real historical inflation data?
No — this projects using a rate you enter, letting you model different scenarios rather than relying on one fixed historical average.