How to use the inflation calculator
- 1 Enter the amount in dollars.
- 2 Choose the from year.
- 3 Choose the to year; pick 2026 for today's dollars.
- 4 Read the adjusted value, total price change and average yearly inflation.
Worked example
$100 in 2000. The CPI-U averaged 172.2 in 2000 and was 336.9 in September 2026, so prices rose 95.7% over those years. That means $100 in 2000 is worth $195.67 in today's dollars, an average of about 2.6% inflation a year, and cash kept under the mattress since then has lost almost half of its buying power. Going further back, $100 in 1970 is worth $868.40 now.
Keeping ahead of inflation
- Compare savings rates with CPI: below it, cash loses value.
- Ask for raises that beat inflation.
- Consider I bonds or TIPS for inflation protection.
- Invest long-term money rather than holding cash.
Protect savings with the I Bond Calculator, model growth with the Compound Interest Calculator, and check a raise with the Pay Raise Calculator.
Features
Official BLS data
CPI-U annual averages from 1913, 1982-84 = 100.
Latest month
2026 uses September 2026, the most recent index.
Both ways
Bring past dollars forward or today's dollars back.
When to use it
Salaries
See whether your pay kept up with prices. Work out a raise with the Pay Raise Calculator.
Savings
See what inflation does to cash. Compare with interest in the Compound Interest Calculator.
History
Find what a 1950s or 1970s price is worth today.
Retirement
Plan for rising costs with the Retirement Calculator.
Related Savings and Investing tasks
Frequently asked questions
What is the US inflation rate now?
CPI-U prices were 3.7% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, before seasonal adjustment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What is $100 in 1970 worth today?
About $868 in September 2026 dollars. Prices have risen about 768% since 1970, an average of 3.9% a year.
Which index does this use?
The CPI-U, the most widely used measure of US consumer prices, covering about 93% of the population. It uses annual averages and the latest month for 2026.
Why is 2025 slightly different?
October 2025 prices were not collected during the federal government shutdown, so the 2025 figure here is the average of the 11 published months.
What is the difference between CPI-U and CPI-W?
CPI-W covers urban wage earners and clerical workers and is used for Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. CPI-U covers all urban consumers and is the headline figure.
What was the highest inflation in US history?
In the CPI-U record, about 18% in 1918 and 14.4% in 1947. In modern times it peaked at 13.5% in 1980, and at 8.0% for the year 2022.
How is the average yearly rate calculated?
It is the compound annual rate that turns the starting index into the ending index over the number of years.
How often is CPI updated?
Every month, usually around the middle of the following month. We update this calculator after each release.
Can prices fall?
Yes. Deflation happened in the early 1930s and briefly in 2009, when the CPI-U fell 0.4%.
How do I adjust a salary for inflation?
Enter the old salary and its year, and choose 2026 as the to year. If your current pay is below the result, your real pay has fallen.
Is CPI the same as my personal inflation?
Not exactly. CPI-U tracks an average basket of goods and services. If you spend more than average on rent, health care or fuel, your own inflation may be higher or lower.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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