Inflation Calculator
See how inflation has changed the buying power of a dollar. Enter an amount and two years, and the calculator uses official U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) data to show what that money is worth in the later year, along with the total inflation and the average annual rate between them.
It answers the everyday question behind headlines about the cost of living: what would something that cost $100 back then cost today? The same math works in either direction, so you can compare any two years from 1913 to the latest complete year.
Uses the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual-average Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). 2025 is the most recent complete year available.
$100.00 in 2000 is worth
$186.96
in 2025 dollars
- Total inflation
- 87%
- Average inflation / year
- 2.5%
- Years
- 25
Prices rose about 87% overall — it takes $186.96 in 2025 to buy what $100.00 bought in 2000.
Based on the CPI-U (all urban consumers, U.S. city average, all items; 1982–1984 = 100) annual averages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. CPI measures a broad basket of goods and services, so your personal inflation rate can differ depending on what you spend on. Figures use complete calendar-year averages.
Calculation Formulas
The value of money between two years is the starting amount scaled by the ratio of the two years’ Consumer Price Index. If prices doubled, the CPI doubled, so the same buying power costs twice as much.
Example:
$100 in 2000 (CPI 172.2) expressed in 2025 dollars (CPI 321.9) is 100 × 321.9 / 172.2 ≈ $186.96.
The single steady yearly rate that compounds from the start CPI to the end CPI — the inflation equivalent of a compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
Key Figures
| Figure | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Index base period | 1982–1984 = 100 | The reference period the CPI-U is scaled against. |
| Measure | CPI-U, all items | All urban consumers, U.S. city average — the broadest headline inflation gauge. |
Note: Results are estimates for planning purposes. Rates, fees, taxes, and insurance vary by lender and location — confirm exact figures with a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Standards & Sources
Last verified: August 2026
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U)
Figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U annual averages (series CUUR0000SA0), the same data the Social Security Administration and IRS use for cost-of-living and inflation adjustments.
- Annual averages, complete years only
The calculator uses full calendar-year averages and excludes the current year until BLS finalizes it in January, so every comparison is between two complete, settled figures.
- Headline CPI vs. your own inflation
CPI tracks a fixed representative basket. Your personal inflation rate depends on your spending — housing, healthcare, and education have historically outpaced the headline figure.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the dollar amount you want to compare.
- Choose the starting year (when the amount is from).
- Choose the ending year you want it expressed in — the latest complete year is the default.
- Read the equivalent value, the total inflation over the period, and the average annual inflation rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an inflation calculator work?
It compares the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in two years. The value of money is scaled by the ratio of the two years’ CPI: if the index rose from 172 to 322, prices roughly doubled, so it takes about $187 to match the buying power of $100 from the earlier year.
What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?
The CPI-U, published monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, tracks the average price of a fixed basket of goods and services bought by urban consumers. It is the standard measure of U.S. inflation and the basis for Social Security and IRS cost-of-living adjustments.
What is the difference between total and average annual inflation?
Total inflation is the full percentage change in prices over the whole period. Average annual inflation is the single steady yearly rate that compounds to that total — the inflation version of a compound annual growth rate (CAGR), which is usually a low single-digit number even when the total is large.
Why doesn’t the calculator include the current year?
It uses complete calendar-year averages, and the current year’s average is not final until the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes December data in January. Using settled full-year figures keeps every comparison consistent and avoids swings from a single partial month.
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