Inflation Calculator
Estimate future purchasing power after inflation.
How this calculator works
How to use this calculator
1. Enter the current cost or amount.
2. Enter the assumed annual inflation rate.
3. Enter the number of years.
4. Click Calculate Future Cost.
Formula used
Future Cost = Current Cost × (1 + i)^t
where:
i = annual inflation rate as a decimal
t = number of years
This calculator assumes the same inflation rate each year.
Example calculation
Example: $1,000 at 3% inflation for 10 years
Future Cost = 1,000 × (1.03)^10
Future Cost ≈ $1,343.92
What the result means
The result estimates how much a current cost could become in the future if inflation remained constant at the entered annual rate. Actual inflation changes over time.
Frequently asked questions
Does inflation stay constant in real life?
No. The calculator uses a constant rate only as an estimate.
Can I enter a negative inflation rate?
Yes, as long as the rate is greater than -100%. A negative rate represents falling prices.
Is this the same as calculating purchasing power?
It estimates a future price from a current price. Purchasing-power calculations reverse the perspective.