Global Inflation Calculator
Calculate purchasing power using U.S. CPI data from 1913 to present
CPI data provided by U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Historical Results
Original Value
$100.00
Value in the starting year
Equivalent Value
$1,250.75
Value in today’s dollars
Total Inflation
1,150.75%
Cumulative inflation over the period
Annual Inflation
3.21%
Average annual inflation rate
Future Value
Current Value
$100.00
Future Value
$134.39
Amount needed to maintain purchasing power
Total Inflation
34.39%
Cumulative inflation over the period
Past Purchasing Power
Current Value
$100.00
Equivalent Value
$74.41
Value in the past
Total Inflation
34.39%
Cumulative inflation over the period
U.S. Inflation Rate History (1914-2023)
Interactive inflation chart would display here
Showing historical CPI data trends
Understanding Inflation
Inflation measures how much more expensive a set of goods and services has become over a certain period, usually a year. Our calculator uses Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate the purchasing power of the U.S. dollar over time.
How It Works
- Historical CPI Calculator: Compares the value of money between two different years using CPI data
- Forward Projection: Estimates future purchasing power based on a fixed inflation rate
- Backward Calculation: Determines what an amount would be worth in the past
- Calculations account for compound inflation effects
Key Facts About Inflation
- The U.S. inflation rate averaged 3.28% from 1914 until 2023
- The highest inflation rate was 23.70% in June 1920
- The lowest inflation rate was -15.80% in June 1921
- Inflation erodes purchasing power over time
- CPI tracks price changes for a basket of consumer goods