Inflation Power Calculator
See how inflation erodes your purchasing power over time
Enter a dollar amount
Annual inflation rate
Purchasing Power Over Time
Key Milestones
| Year | Years | Purchasing Power | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0y | $10,000 | 100% |
| 2027 | 1y | $9,709 | 97% |
| 2028 | 2y | $9,426 | 94% |
| 2029 | 3y | $9,151 | 92% |
| 2030 | 4y | $8,885 | 89% |
| 2031 | 5y | $8,626 | 86% |
| 2032 | 6y | $8,375 | 84% |
| 2033 | 7y | $8,131 | 81% |
| 2034 | 8y | $7,894 | 79% |
| 2035 | 9y | $7,664 | 77% |
| 2036 | 10y | $7,441 | 74% |
About Inflation
Inflation reduces the purchasing power of money over time. $100 today won't buy the same in 10 years.
The average US inflation rate is about 2-3% per year.
Investing in assets that outpace inflation is key to preserving wealth.
Report a Problem
Found a bug or have a suggestion? Help us improve this tool.
What is this tool?
The Inflation Power Calculator shows how inflation silently erodes purchasing power over time. Input an amount, time period, and inflation rate to see what that money will be worth in future dollars, or what a future amount is worth in today's purchasing power.
How to use
- 1
Enter amount and years
Input a monetary amount and the number of years into the future.
- 2
Set inflation rate
Enter the annual inflation rate (historical averages: US 2-3%, China 2-3%).
- 3
View results
See future equivalent value, present purchasing power, and the erosion percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does 3% inflation eat over 20 years?
At 3% annual inflation, $10,000 today will have the purchasing power of only $5,537 in 20 years. That's a 45% loss in real purchasing power.
Can investments beat inflation?
Stocks historically return 7-10% annually, which typically beats 2-3% inflation. Bonds and savings accounts often barely keep pace. The key is having an investment return above the inflation rate.
What about negative inflation?
Deflation (negative inflation) increases purchasing power. Enter a negative rate (e.g., -1%) to model deflationary scenarios.