US Inflation Calculator
See how the purchasing power of the US dollar has changed from 1913 to today using official BLS data.
US Inflation Calculator (1913-2026)
Calculate how the value of a dollar has changed over time using official Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. Updated with **February 2026** projections.
$100 in 2000 is worth
$187.34
in 2026
Total Inflation
87.34%
Buying Power Difference
Decreased
Value Over Time
About this tool
A US inflation calculator using official Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index data from 1913 to 2026. Find out what a dollar from any year is worth today, or how much an item that cost X in year A would cost in year B.
How to use it
Quick steps to get the most out of this utility.
- 1
Enter the original amount
How much money you are converting (e.g., $100).
- 2
Pick the start year
The year the original amount was spent or earned.
- 3
Pick the end year
Usually the current year or your target year.
- 4
Read the comparison
See the inflation-adjusted value, total cumulative inflation %, and the year-by-year chart.
Why inflation matters for everyone
Inflation is a silent tax on cash and fixed-income assets. A savings account earning 0.5% in a 3% inflation environment loses 2.5% of purchasing power per year — even though the nominal balance grows. This is why financial planners insist on stock market exposure for long-term goals: equities have historically outpaced inflation by ~7% per year, while cash typically loses ground.
High-inflation periods to remember
- 1917–1920: Post-WWI inflation peaked at 17%
- 1973–1982: The Great Inflation, peaking near 14% in 1980
- 2021–2023: Post-pandemic surge, peaked at 9.1% in June 2022
Frequently asked questions
How is inflation measured?+
In the US, inflation is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI tracks the price changes of a basket of goods and services typical urban consumers buy: food, housing, transportation, medical care, recreation, and education.
What is the historical US inflation rate?+
The long-run average US inflation rate (1913–2025) is approximately 3.1%. This includes deflationary periods like the 1930s and high-inflation decades like the 1970s. The Federal Reserve targets 2% as a healthy long-term rate.
Why does inflation happen?+
Inflation results from money supply growth exceeding economic output, supply chain shocks, energy price spikes, wage-price spirals, and government deficit spending. Central banks use interest rates to slow inflation by reducing borrowing and spending.
How does inflation affect retirement planning?+
Even at 3% annual inflation, prices double in 24 years. A $50,000/year retirement budget today needs $90,000+/year in 20 years just to maintain purchasing power. This is why Social Security has cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and why retirement projections must use inflation-adjusted ("real") returns.
Is the CPI a perfect inflation measure?+
No. The CPI has known limitations: it underweights housing, struggles with quality improvements, and may understate inflation for retirees (who consume more healthcare). Many economists believe true cost-of-living inflation runs 0.5–1% higher than reported CPI.
Keep exploring
More utilities and reading from Toolisk.