finance calculator

Inflation Adjuster

See how much a dollar amount would be worth in another year after compounding inflation.

Results

Inflation-adjusted amount
$1,558
Total value change
$558

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the original amount and the year it’s from.
  2. Enter the target year and an average annual inflation rate.
  3. See the inflation-adjusted amount and total change.

Inputs explained

Original amount
Money value from the start year you want to translate.
Start year
Year the original amount is from.
Target year
Year you want the value expressed in.
Average inflation %
Annual average rate (e.g., CPI average) across the period.

How it works

We treat inflation as a compound rate: Future value = Amount × (1 + inflation%)^(years).

The output shows the equivalent amount in the target year, plus the total change caused by inflation.

Formula

FV = Amount × (1 + r)^(years)
Total change = FV − Amount

When to use it

  • Updating historical salaries or budgets to today’s dollars.
  • Communicating inflation impacts in reports or articles.
  • Quick sensitivity testing with different inflation rate assumptions.

Tips & cautions

  • Try a range of rates (e.g., 2–4%) to see sensitivity over long periods.
  • Use published CPI averages for the most realistic single-rate assumption.
  • For deflation scenarios, enter a negative rate.
  • Assumes a constant average rate; real inflation varies yearly.
  • Does not pull CPI data automatically; user must provide a rate.
  • No currency conversion—pair with the currency converter if needed.

Worked examples

$5,000 in 2010 to 2025 at 3%

  • Years = 15
  • FV ≈ $7,785

$50,000 salary from 1995 → 2025

  • Using 2.5% average inflation gives ≈ $102k equivalent

Deep dive

This inflation adjuster compounds an amount by an average inflation rate to show its value in another year. Enter the start year, target year, and rate to get the adjusted amount and total change.

Use it for historical salary comparisons, budgeting, or articles about purchasing power. It assumes a constant rate—try multiple rates to bracket different scenarios.

FAQs

Where do I find inflation rates?
Use CPI data (e.g., US Bureau of Labor Statistics) or lender-provided averages for your region.
Can it deflate a future amount back to today?
Yes. Enter a future start year with a past target year and the same formula works in reverse.
Does this use real CPI tables?
No. It uses a single average rate you provide. For exact CPI, use year-by-year index values.
Can I model different inflation per year?
Not here. This is a constant-rate estimate. For variable rates, use a spreadsheet with annual CPI values.
Can I use it outside USD?
Yes. Enter any currency values, but remember rates should match that region’s inflation.

Related calculators

Real inflation varies year to year. For audits, use official CPI tables per year.