Inflation Calculator
See how inflation changes prices over time. Compare an amount between two years, estimate purchasing power, and project future values with an assumed inflation rate.
Historical inflation calculator
Compare how U.S. consumer prices changed between two years using approximate annual CPI averages.
$100.00 in 2000
$182.69 in 2024
Total Inflation
82.69%
Average Annual Inflation
2.54%
Purchasing power snapshot
This shows how much buying power has shifted between 2000 and 2024.
What $100 from 2000 equals in 2024
$182.69
What $100 in 2024 would buy in 2000
$54.74
Forward projection mode
Estimate what today's amount could look like in the future at an assumed inflation rate.
Future Equivalent
$1,343.92
Inflation Added
$343.92
Assumed Rate Used
3.00%
How to Use
- Enter an amount and choose a start year and end year to compare historical purchasing power.
- Review the equivalent value, total inflation, and average annual inflation rate based on approximate annual CPI data.
- Use the purchasing power section to see what $100 from the start year would equal in the end year.
- Switch to the forward projection section to estimate how much an amount today may need to keep up with future inflation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an inflation calculator measure?
An inflation calculator estimates how the purchasing power of money changes over time. It uses price index data, typically the Consumer Price Index (CPI), to compare what a dollar amount from one year would be worth in another year.
What is CPI?
CPI stands for Consumer Price Index. It tracks average price changes for a basket of goods and services commonly purchased by households. It is one of the most widely used measures of inflation in the United States.
Why does purchasing power fall over time?
When prices rise because of inflation, each dollar buys fewer goods and services than before. That means the same amount of money has less purchasing power unless income or savings also grow.
Can inflation ever be negative?
Yes. If average prices fall over a period, inflation is negative, which is called deflation. In those cases, money gains purchasing power instead of losing it.
Are these CPI figures exact?
This calculator uses hardcoded approximate annual U.S. CPI averages for quick estimation. It is useful for planning and comparison, but official BLS data should be used when exact reporting or compliance matters.