What formula does this use?

Future value = present × (1 + rate)^years. The 'real value then' is present ÷ (1 + rate)^years — i.e. what today's amount will be worth in today's dollars after inflation erodes it.

What inflation rate should I use?

Long-run developed economies average 2–3% annually. High-inflation economies can see 8–15% or more. Use your country's recent CPI as a baseline.

What does 'erosion' mean?

It's the percentage of buying power today's money loses over the period. At 3% inflation over 10 years, $1000 loses about 26% of its purchasing power.

Can the years be a decimal?

Yes. The formula works with fractional years — e.g. 2.5 years for an 18-month projection.

Does this account for compounding?

Yes — inflation compounds annually by default. Each year's inflation applies to the previous year's inflated value, not the original amount.

Is my data uploaded anywhere?

No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser.

Inflation Calculator

How much will today's money be worth in N years? Free, private.

100% private — no uploads Finance ToolsFree & unlimited Read tutorial

See how it works

Watch a quick simulation of this tool in action — no file needed.

How to use Inflation Calculator

Follow these steps — everything happens instantly in your browser.

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Step 1. Enter today's amount you want to project.
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Step 2. Enter the expected annual inflation rate (e.g. 3% for typical developed-economy inflation).
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Step 3. Enter the number of years to project forward.
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Step 4. See the future amount needed to match today's buying power, plus the real-value erosion and a year-by-year chart.