How to use the inflation calculator
- Enter an amount in today’s dollars, an annual inflation rate, and years.
- Read future nominal, today’s purchasing power, and the price multiplier.
- Use presets, then edit; for savings paths with inflation, open the compound interest calculator.
Reading the three outputs
Future nominal is how many dollars you’d need later to match today’s purchasing power at your rate. Today’s purchasing power is the reverse. The multiplier scales any amount under the same assumption.
Which inflation rate
Many plans use 2–3% long-run; others stress-test higher. Constant inflation is a math assumption—not a forecast.
Salary and investing
Model nominal pay needed to hold lifestyle, or erosion of fixed nominal pay. For contribution growth, use the investment calculator or future value calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Future nominal vs today’s purchasing power?
Future nominal is how many dollars you’d need at the end period to match today’s purchasing power if prices rise at your rate. Today’s purchasing power is the reverse—what a future nominal amount is worth now. Same multiplier links both.
What inflation rate should I use?
Many plans use 2–3% as a moderate long-run assumption; others stress-test higher. Enter the rate you want to model—this page does not forecast official CPI.
Same as inflation in the compound interest calculator?
The compound interest calculator applies inflation to a savings path. This page isolates a lump sum under pure inflation—no deposit flows. For contribution growth, try the investment calculator.
Can years be zero?
Yes. At zero years the multiplier is one—future nominal equals the amount you entered in the model.
How do people use this for salary planning?
Enter pay in today’s dollars to see the nominal salary needed later for the same lifestyle, or see how fixed nominal pay erodes over time.
Does this handle country-specific inflation?
You supply the annual rate—the tool is not tied to one country’s index. Use consistent currency and assumptions when comparing countries.
Is this a forecast?
No. Constant inflation is a math assumption; real prices fluctuate.
Can I share this scenario with someone?
Yes. Copy link below the form keeps your current inputs so you can share the scenario or save it for later.