Amount, Annual inflation rate, Years
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How this calculator works
Inflation compounds: each year's price rise applies to the already higher prices of the year before. At 3% a year prices double in about 23 years. This calculator applies a rate you choose, so use it for what-if planning. For what actually happened between two past dates, use your statistics office's consumer price index figures.
Formula
- Future cost = amount × (1 + rate)^years
- Purchasing power of the amount = amount / (1 + rate)^years
- Cumulative inflation = (1 + rate)^years − 1
Worked example
1,000 over 10 years at 3%
- Amount
- 1,000
- Annual inflation rate
- 3%
- Years
- 10
Result1,343.92
What 1,000.00 of goods today would cost after 10 years of 3.0% inflation.
Things to keep in mind
- Actual inflation varies from year to year and between categories of spending.
- Figures are estimates for planning. They are not financial advice, and they ignore taxes and fees unless stated.
Frequently asked questions
How is inflation calculated over several years?
By compounding: multiply by (1 + rate) once for each year. Three years at 3% is 1.03 × 1.03 × 1.03 = 9.27%, not 9%.
What does purchasing power mean?
How much today's goods a sum of money will buy in the future. 1,000 after 10 years of 3% inflation buys what about 744 buys today.
What inflation rate should I assume?
Many central banks, including the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, aim for about 2% a year. Using 2-3% is common for long-term planning.
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Results are estimates based on the values you enter and the published method shown above. They do not replace professional medical, financial or legal advice. Method reviewed October 7, 2026. About this site