Inflation Calculator (CPI)
We convert money across time using CPI indices or an average annual inflation rate—see the equivalent value, implied CAGR, and a year-by-year path.
Your inputs
Inflation results
CPI-adjusted value over time
We use the implied annual rate between your two dates to create a smooth path.
Year-by-year CPI adjustment
| Years from base | Normalized CPI (base=1) | Adjusted amount |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | $1,000.00 |
| 1 | 1.0244 | $1,024.38 |
| 2 | 1.0494 | $1,049.36 |
| 3 | 1.0749 | $1,074.95 |
| 4 | 1.1012 | $1,101.16 |
| 5 | 1.128 | $1,128.01 |
| 6 | 1.1555 | $1,155.51 |
| 7 | 1.1837 | $1,183.69 |
| 8 | 1.2126 | $1,212.55 |
| 9 | 1.2421 | $1,242.12 |
| 10 | 1.2724 | $1,272.40 |
| 11 | 1.3034 | $1,303.43 |
| 12 | 1.3352 | $1,335.21 |
| 13 | 1.3678 | $1,367.77 |
| 14 | 1.4011 | $1,401.12 |
| 15 | 1.4353 | $1,435.28 |
| 16 | 1.4703 | $1,470.28 |
| 17 | 1.5061 | $1,506.13 |
| 18 | 1.5429 | $1,542.85 |
| 19 | 1.5805 | $1,580.47 |
| 20 | 1.619 | $1,619.01 |
| 21 | 1.6585 | $1,658.49 |
| 22 | 1.6989 | $1,698.93 |
| 23 | 1.7404 | $1,740.35 |
| 24 | 1.7828 | $1,782.79 |
Results interpretation — Inflation & CPI
- CPI method uses your two index values to compute an exact multiplier.
- Average-rate method compounds a single annual inflation rate between dates.
- Implied annual inflation is the CAGR consistent with your start and end values.
- Who it’s for: budgeting, salary comparisons, benefits planning, historical price research.
How our Inflation Calculator works
Formula, steps & assumptions
CPI mode: multiplier = CPItarget / CPIbase. Adjusted value = amount × multiplier.
Average-rate mode: multiplier = (1 + r)^{years} where r is the average annual inflation percentage.
Implied annual rate (CAGR): (multiplier)^{1/years} − 1.
Limitations: CPI is a broad index and may not reflect category-specific inflation (e.g., college tuition, healthcare). Results are planning estimates.
Use cases & examples
Example 1: $1,000 on 01-01-2000 to 01-01-2024 with CPI 172.2 → 307.0 adjusts to about $1,782.81.
Example 2: $50,000 salary in 01-01-2010 to 01-01-2024 at 2.4% average inflation implies ≈ $69,688.04 for similar purchasing power.
Example 3: A budget line of $250 in 2015 grows by the multiplier between 2015 and 2024 using CPI mode or the average-rate mode if indices aren’t handy.
Inflation Calculator (CPI): Convert Past Dollars to Today’s Value, Understand Purchasing Power, and Plan Smarter
Our inflation calculator helps you translate money across time using the consumer price index. By entering a dollar amount, a base date, and a target date, we show the CPI-adjusted value, the total percentage change, and the implied annual inflation rate. That lets you compare salaries, budgets, and prices on an apples-to-apples basis and decide whether a number from the past still holds up in today’s dollars.
Why purchasing power matters
The dollar is a moving target. Prices for groceries, rent, healthcare, and services change over time, which means a static dollar amount can buy more or less depending on when you spend it. Converting values with CPI helps us keep the comparison fair, especially when we assess wage growth, benefit schedules, or long-lived contracts.
CPI vs average inflation
In CPI mode, we use your start and end index values. When you don’t have index data handy, the average-rate mode uses a single yearly inflation rate compounded across the exact time between your dates. Both approaches produce a clean multiplier and an implied annual rate (CAGR) so you can see the pace of change.
Common workflows our calculator supports
- Salary comparisons: adjust a past offer into today’s dollars.
- Budget baselining: carry forward last year’s plan with realistic inflation.
- Historical research: translate prices from news archives into contemporary terms.
Inflation Calculator — FAQ
How do we calculate CPI-adjusted value?
We multiply your amount by CPI_target ⁄ CPI_base. When you choose average-rate mode, we compound (1 + r)^years between the two dates.
What date format do we use?
Use MM-DD-YYYY. We compute the exact number of years between your dates for compounding.
What’s the difference between total change and CAGR?
Total change is the full percentage increase across the period; CAGR is the implied per-year rate that compounds to the same total.
Does CPI match my personal inflation?
Not exactly. CPI is a broad basket. Your personal basket can differ, so treat results as planning estimates.
Can we compare salaries across decades?
Yes. Adjust each salary to the same date and compare in equal dollars.
What if CPI data is unavailable?
Use average-rate mode with a reasonable inflation estimate to approximate the conversion.