Does this use live BLS CPI data?

No. The default inflation rate is a CPI-U-style reference average you can edit. It is not a live Bureau of Labor Statistics feed — change the rate to match the period you care about.

What is purchasing power erosion?

If prices rise and your cash balance stays the same, that money buys less. The calculator shows how much buying power a fixed dollar amount loses over a chosen number of years.

Free Tool

Inflation & Purchasing Power Calculator

See what today's dollars buy after years of inflation — or what a past amount is worth now. The default 3% rate is an estimate based on typical government inflation data; you can change it. This is not pulled live from government data.

Default approximates a long-run CPI-U-style average; adjust for your scenario.

Amount ($)YearsAnnual inflation (%)Default 3% ≈ recent CPI-U average (editable)

Buying power in 10 years

$74.41

of today's $100

You'd need then to match today

$134.39

25.6% erosion

Purchasing power over time

Yr 0Yr 10

Uses a default 3% annual rate as a CPI-U-style reference average — not a live BLS data feed. Adjust the rate to match a period you care about. Educational estimate only; not financial advice.

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