This inflation calculator shows how the purchasing power of money changes over time at a constant annual inflation rate. It can project future prices (what something might cost in the future) or convert a future amount back into today's dollars.
You can treat the inflation rate as either a general price inflation estimate or as a stand-in for any long-run growth or erosion in value, such as rent increases or the real-world impact of investment returns after inflation.
Inflation-adjusted values help you think in "real" terms rather than nominal terms. For example, a salary that grows 2% per year when inflation is also 2% is roughly flat in real purchasing power, even though the number is higher.
Use this calculator to compare long-term goals, such as retirement expenses or education costs, and to see whether your savings or investment plan is likely to keep up with or outpace inflation over time.
This tool assumes a constant inflation rate over the entire period, which is rarely true in the real world. Actual inflation varies from year to year and can differ across countries and spending categories.
For rough planning and intuitive comparisons, a constant-rate assumption is often fine. For critical decisions, consider looking up historical inflation data for your region or talking with a financial planner who can help you model more realistic scenarios.