INDEPENDENT EXPLAINERS · GLOBAL EDITIONEvidence first. Perspective follows.
Free calculator

Purchasing power calculator

Explore what a fixed future amount would buy in today’s money.

Worth in today’s money

Enter your assumptions to calculate.

A fixed annual inflation rate; your spending basket may differ.

What this calculation assumes

Assumes the same inflation rate each year. Shows a fixed amount’s purchasing power in today’s dollars and the future amount needed to match today’s spending. Not a CPI forecast.

The formula

Today-equivalent value = amount ÷ (1 + inflation rate)^years. Future amount needed = amount × (1 + inflation rate)^years.

Inputs remain in your browser. Results are educational estimates, not recommendations or guaranteed outcomes.

Read: Inflation is slowing. Why is everything still expensive?