Inflation Calculator
See the erosion of purchasing power over time. What costs $100 today will cost in 10 years at 3% inflation.
Free · No signup · By the analysts at Blackridge Research · Updated 2026-07-18
Inputs
Results
What this means
Adjust the inputs to calculate.
About the Inflation Calculator
Inflation measures the erosion of purchasing power over time.
What costs $100 today will cost more in the future due to inflation.
Formula
Future Value = Present Value × (1 + Inflation Rate)^Years
- FV
- — Future Value
- PV
- — Present Value
- i
- — Inflation Rate
- n
- — Number of Years
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter present value
The amount of money today.
- 2
Enter inflation rate
The expected annual inflation rate.
- 3
Enter time period
The number of years in the future.
Example calculations
Purchasing power erosion
What will $100 be worth in 10 years at 3% inflation?
Future Value = $100 × (1.03)^10 = $134.39.
- Future value:
- $134.39
- Purchasing power:
- $74.41
$100 today will be worth $134.39 in 10 years at 3% inflation.
Interpreting your results
Inflation reduces purchasing power over time. $100 today will buy less in the future.
Investments must earn returns above inflation to grow real purchasing power.
Need the market data behind this calculator?
The Inflation Calculator is only as good as its inputs. Blackridge Research publishes syndicated market reports with vetted market sizes, growth rates, and competitive landscapes across 40+ industries — and builds custom studies when the shelf report doesn't exist.
Industry applications
Business
- Financial planning: account for inflation in long-term planning.
- Investment decisions: evaluate real returns.
- Pricing strategy: adjust prices for inflation.
Construction
- Cost estimation: account for inflation in long-term project costs.
- Budget planning: adjust budgets for inflation.
Research
- Economic analysis: understand inflation impact.
- Market research: adjust historical data for inflation.
Common mistakes to avoid
-
✗ Ignoring inflation in long-term planning
Always account for inflation when planning for the future.
-
✗ Using nominal returns
Use real returns (nominal - inflation) for purchasing power analysis.
Frequently asked questions
›What is the average inflation rate?
Typically 2-3% in developed economies. Historical average in the US is about 3%.
›How does inflation affect investments?
Inflation erodes real returns. Investments need to return above inflation to grow purchasing power.
Glossary
- Inflation:
- The rate at which the general level of prices rises, eroding purchasing power.
- Purchasing power:
- The number of goods and services that can be bought with a unit of currency.
- Real return:
- The return on an investment after adjusting for inflation.
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