Inflation and Real Value Calculator
Compare future replacement cost, fixed-cash purchasing power and an entered nominal investment return.
YOUR CALCULATION
Result
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Calculation steps
Work through one step at a time or reveal the complete calculation. The steps use your current inputs.
How to calculate
Compound the entered inflation assumption to obtain a price-level factor. Multiply present cost by that factor, or divide future nominal money by it to express purchasing power in starting-year money.
Price factor=(1+inflation)^years; real annual return=(1+nominal return)/(1+inflation)−1
Worked example
At 3% inflation over 10 years, an item costing 1000 would cost about 1343.92. Fixed cash of 1000 then buys about 744.09 in starting-year money.
Assumptions and input details
Scenario rates are entered, not current CPI, forecasts or market returns. Negative inflation above −100% is allowed. The amount is one lump sum; no contributions, fees, taxes or exchange-rate change. Exact real-return compounding is used rather than merely subtracting inflation. Starting-year and future nominal amounts are labelled separately.
References: BLS: CPI calculator concept
Using this calculator
Can I enter my own problem?
Yes. Replace the example values with your own inputs. The result, calculation steps, tables and applicable diagrams update from those inputs. Blank or invalid values clear the result; example values are never silently substituted for missing inputs.
Are the results exact?
Results use floating-point arithmetic and displayed rounding. Read the formula, assumptions and any stated data precision before interpreting the result.
Is my input uploaded?
The calculation runs in your browser. No account, file upload or external AI service is required. Inputs are not saved between page reloads.
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