ConvertOnlineUS Inflation Calculator for CPI and Purchasing Power
Report source: https://convertonline.org/calculators/inflation-calculator
Convert an amount between historical US calendar years with official annual CPI-U averages, or test how a custom inflation assumption changes future cost and purchasing power.
Calculations run in your browser. Your income, expenses, balances, labels, and other financial inputs are not uploaded or stored.
Inflation Calculator
Estimated inflation-adjusted amount
Detailed results
Swipe or scroll horizontally to see every column.
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How the inflation calculator works
Historical adjusted amount = amount × destination-year CPI ÷ source-year CPI. Custom future cost = amount × (1 + annual rate)ʸᵉᵃʳˢ.
Historical mode uses annual-average, not seasonally adjusted CPI-U for all items in the US city average. A household’s own price changes can differ.
How to use this calculator
- Choose historical CPI or a custom future-rate projection.
- For historical mode, enter an amount and two complete calendar years; for custom mode, enter a rate and duration.
- Review the adjusted amount, cumulative change, annualized change, index values, and stated data source.
Assumptions and limitations
- Historical results use BLS CPI-U series CUUR0000SA0 and complete calendar-year annual averages.
- CPI measures average price change for a representative consumer basket and is not a personal cost-of-living index.
- A custom rate is a user assumption, not an inflation forecast.
Sources and further reading
Worked example
Example: $100 from 2020 to 2024
The annual CPI-U index was 258.811 in 2020 and 313.689 in 2024.
$100 in 2020 had approximately the same average purchasing power as $121.20 in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Which inflation index does this calculator use?
Historical mode uses the annual average of the not seasonally adjusted CPI-U US city average for all items.
Why can my personal inflation rate differ?
Households buy different combinations of housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other goods and services.
Can I use the calculator for future inflation?
Yes. Custom mode applies your entered constant annual rate, but the result is a scenario rather than a forecast.
This calculator provides an estimate for planning and education. It is not financial, investment, tax, legal, or credit advice.