See what any dollar amount from 1913 to 2026 is worth today, using real CPI-U index data, plus project future purchasing power.
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Equivalent value
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Cumulative inflation
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Average annual rate
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Buying power retained
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Future amount needed
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Real value in N years
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How this inflation calculator works
This calculator uses the annual average Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) — the standard US inflation benchmark — for every year from 1913 through 2026. To convert a dollar amount between any two years, it multiplies your amount by the ratio of the CPI index in the target year to the CPI index in the starting year.
Formula: Equivalent value = Amount × (CPI in target year ÷ CPI in starting year) Average annual rate = (CPI target ÷ CPI start)^(1 ÷ years) − 1
Worked example with real numbers
Amount: $10,000 | From year: 2000 | To year: 2026 | Projection: 10 years forward at 3% assumed inflation
Component
Calculation
Result
CPI index, 2000
Published annual average
172.2
CPI index, 2026
Latest annual average
329.9
Equivalent value
$10,000 × (329.9 ÷ 172.2)
$19,158
Cumulative inflation
(329.9 ÷ 172.2 − 1) × 100
+91.6%
Average annual rate
(1.916)^(1/26) − 1
2.55%/yr
Future amount needed (10 yrs, 3%)
$19,158 × 1.03^10
$25,743
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing cumulative and annual inflation. A 91.6% cumulative increase over 26 years sounds dramatic, but it works out to only about 2.55% per year — the two numbers describe the same period differently and are easy to mix up.
Using national CPI-U for a personal or regional cost estimate. National CPI-U reflects an average urban consumer's basket. Your own spending mix — housing, healthcare, groceries — may have inflated faster or slower than the national average.
Forgetting that future projections are estimates. The "future amount needed" figure assumes a constant annual rate you choose. Actual inflation varies significantly year to year, so treat this as a planning benchmark, not a guarantee.
Comparing salaries across decades without adjusting for inflation. A $50,000 salary in 2000 is not directly comparable to a $50,000 salary in 2026 — convert both to the same year's dollars first using this calculator before comparing.
Ignoring inflation when setting long-term savings goals. A retirement number calculated in today's dollars needs to be inflated forward to the year you'll actually spend it — use the future projection fields above alongside our Retirement Planner.
How is the inflation calculator's historical data sourced?
The calculator uses annual average Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) values from 1913 through 2026, the standard measure of US inflation published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with 2025-2026 figures reflecting the latest available and projected annual averages.
What does 'cumulative inflation' mean?
Cumulative inflation is the total percentage price increase between your two selected years, compounded over the whole period. It differs from the average annual rate, which spreads that same total increase evenly across each year for comparison purposes.
Why does $100 from 1980 buy so much more in today's dollars?
The CPI index has risen roughly four-fold since 1980, meaning goods that cost $100 in 1980 cost roughly $400 or more in 2026 dollars. The calculator applies the ratio of the two years' CPI index values to translate between them.
How accurate is the future purchasing power projection?
The future projection uses a fixed annual inflation rate you choose, compounded over your selected number of years. Real-world inflation varies year to year, so treat the projection as a planning estimate, not a guaranteed forecast.
What's the difference between CPI-U and CPI-W?
CPI-U covers all urban consumers and is the standard measure used for most inflation calculators, including this one. CPI-W covers urban wage earners and clerical workers specifically, and is the narrower index used to calculate the annual Social Security COLA.