Inflation Calculator
By Santaji GadepatilinUpdated October 27, 2026
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calculatedType in any field to change it. Press × on a value to calculate that field instead.
Future cost of the same things vs Years (years) — other inputs held at your current values.
How to use this calculator
Enter an amount, the inflation rate and the number of years. You get two views:
- Future cost — what the same basket of goods will cost.
- Purchasing power — what today’s amount will be worth in today’s terms.
Formulas
Future cost = C × (1 + inflation)t
Purchasing power = C ÷ (1 + inflation)t
Worked example
Something costing 100 today, with 6% inflation for 10 years:
- Future cost = 100 × 1.06¹⁰ = 179.08
- 100 in cash will buy what 55.84 buys today
Inflation over 10 years
| Inflation | Future cost of 100 | Value of 100 cash |
|---|---|---|
| 2% | 121.90 | 82.03 |
| 4% | 148.02 | 67.56 |
| 6% | 179.08 | 55.84 |
| 8% | 215.89 | 46.32 |
Why it matters
- Savings must earn more than inflation to grow in real terms.
- Retirement plans must allow for much higher expenses in the future — see the retirement corpus calculator.
- Salary increases below inflation are a pay cut in real terms.
Frequently asked questions
How is future cost calculated with inflation?
Future cost = today's cost × (1 + inflation)^years. At 6% inflation, 100 today costs 179.08 in 10 years.
What is purchasing power?
What your money can actually buy. At 6% inflation, 100 kept as cash for 10 years buys only what 55.84 buys today.
What inflation rate should I use?
Long-run averages are about 2–3% in many developed economies and 4–6% in many developing ones. Use your country's recent CPI figures for a closer estimate.