Inflation Calculator
Enter an amount, a starting year, and a comparison year to translate purchasing power across time using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
$100 in 1990 equals
$246.60
- in 2025
- Cumulative inflation
- 146.6%
- Average annual inflation
- 2.61%
How the Inflation Calculator works
The calculation follows the standard method used across the US — no shortcuts, no hidden assumptions. Here is exactly what happens behind the scenes:
Formula
adjusted = amount × CPI(end) ÷ CPI(start)
- Look up both years' index values.
- Divide ending CPI by starting CPI.
- Multiply the original amount by that ratio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does inflation matter for long-term plans?
At 3% average inflation, prices double roughly every 24 years. Retirement savers must earn returns above inflation or quietly lose purchasing power each year.
Where does the CPI data come from?
Annual CPI-U averages published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, embedded in the page so results work offline. 2025 is a partial-year estimate.
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