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US Inflation Calculator 1913–2026 (Real CPI Data)

See what any dollar amount from the past is worth today — or project future or past value at a flat inflation rate — using real, official U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from 1913 through 2026. No sign-up required.

Inflation Calculator with U.S. CPI Data

Calculates the equivalent value of the U.S. dollar in any month from 1913 to 2026, using actual BLS inflation data.

$ in →

Forward Flat Rate Inflation Calculator

Calculates a future value based on a constant assumed average inflation rate after some years.

$ with inflation rate % after years

Backward Flat Rate Inflation Calculator

Calculates the equivalent purchasing power of an amount some years ago, based on a certain average inflation rate.

$ with inflation rate % years ago

Historical U.S. Annual Inflation Rate (last 25 years)

Annual average CPI-U and year-over-year inflation rate, calculated from official BLS monthly data.

Year	Avg CPI	Inflation Rate

What is inflation and how is it measured?

Inflation is the general increase in prices over time, which erodes how much a dollar can buy. The U.S. government measures it primarily through the Consumer Price Index (CPI), published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which tracks the average price of a broad basket of goods and services — food, housing, transportation, medical care, and more — purchased by typical urban consumers. When economists or the media say "inflation is 3%," they usually mean the CPI rose 3% compared to the same month a year earlier. This calculator uses that same CPI data directly: to find the equivalent value of money between two months, it divides the CPI of the target month by the CPI of the starting month and multiplies that ratio by your dollar amount.

Real CPI data vs. flat rate projections

The main calculator above uses actual historical CPI data, so it reflects real periods of high inflation (like 1979-1981 or 2021-2022) and real periods of low or negative inflation (like the early 2010s or the deflation of the 1930s). The forward and backward flat rate calculators work differently: instead of looking up real data, they apply one constant annual rate you choose, compounded over a number of years. This is useful for projecting "what would $X be worth in 10 years assuming steady 3% inflation" — a forward-looking estimate — or "what would today's $X have been worth 10 years ago at a steady rate" — a simplified backward estimate. Since real-world inflation is never perfectly flat, the CPI calculator will always be more historically accurate, while the flat rate tools are better suited to future projections where actual data doesn't yet exist.

Common searches this calculator answers

What is $100 in 1990 worth today?
US inflation calculator by year
How much has inflation increased since 2000?
CPI inflation calculator with real data
What will $1,000 be worth in 20 years?
Historical inflation rate by year

How to use it

For real historical data: enter your dollar amount, select the starting month and year, then the target month and year, and click Calculate.
For a future projection: use the Forward Flat Rate calculator with your amount, an assumed annual inflation rate, and a number of years.
For a past estimate under an assumed rate: use the Backward Flat Rate calculator the same way, entering how many years ago.
Compare the CPI calculator's result with the flat rate tools to see how actual inflation history differs from a smooth, constant-rate assumption.

Frequently asked questions

What data does this inflation calculator use?

It uses the official Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S. city average, published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, covering January 1913 through the most recently released month.

How is the equivalent dollar value calculated?

The calculator divides the CPI for your target month by the CPI for your starting month, then multiplies that ratio by your dollar amount. This shows how much money you'd need in the target month to have the same purchasing power as your starting amount.

What's the difference between this and the flat rate calculators?

The main calculator uses real historical CPI data, so it reflects actual inflation, including periods of higher or lower inflation. The flat rate calculators instead apply one constant annual rate you choose, which is useful for projecting future value under an assumed inflation rate rather than looking at historical fact.

Why is October 2025 missing from the data?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics did not publish October 2025 CPI data due to a lapse in federal government appropriations that month. This calculator uses the nearest available month as a substitute for that single data point.

Does this calculator account for regional cost of living differences?

No. It uses the U.S. city average CPI, which reflects national average price changes. Actual inflation experienced in a specific city or region can differ from the national average.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, U.S. city average, all items (1982-84=100). This tool is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial advice.

Keywords

inflation calculator, US inflation calculator, CPI calculator, consumer price index calculator, historical inflation rate, dollar value calculator, purchasing power calculator, inflation rate by year, what is $100 worth today, future value inflation calculator, past value calculator

Free 401(k) Calculator - Project Your Retirement Balance

Use this free 401(k) calculator to project your account balance at retirement, including your own contributions, your employer's match, and investment growth. It uses the current IRS annual contribution limits, so you can see whether your planned contribution rate fits within them - no sign-up required.

Educational estimate only - not financial advice

Your details

Current age

Retirement age

Current 401(k) balance

Annual salary

Contribution and match

Your contribution

Expected annual return

Employer match rate

Match applies up to

% of salary

Your selected contribution percentage exceeds the annual IRS employee limit in some years. The calculator automatically caps your contribution at the legal limit for your age in those years.

Projected balance at retirement

Your total contributions$0

Total employer match$0

Total investment growth$0

Years until retirement0

Employer match - your "free money"

Total employer contributions added to your balance over the full period, on top of your own savings.

For 2026, the IRS employee contribution limit is $24,500. Savers age 50 and older can add a $8,000 catch-up contribution ($32,500 total), and those turning 60-63 in 2026 get a higher $11,250 catch-up ($35,750 total). This calculator applies these limits automatically based on the ages entered above.

What is a 401(k) calculator and why it matters

A 401(k) calculator projects how your workplace retirement account could grow by factoring in three separate sources of growth: your own payroll contributions, your employer's matching contributions, and investment returns compounding over your working years. This matters because the employer match is effectively part of your compensation - failing to contribute enough to capture the full match means leaving money on the table that your employer was willing to give you. Seeing your projected balance broken into these three pieces makes it clear exactly how much of your future retirement balance comes from your own savings discipline versus your employer's contribution versus market growth, which is useful both for motivation and for deciding whether to increase your contribution rate.

How this calculator works

The calculator runs a year-by-year, then month-by-month simulation from your current age to your retirement age. Each year, it checks your desired contribution percentage against the IRS annual employee contribution limit for your age that year - automatically applying the standard catch-up limit at age 50 and the higher catch-up limit for ages 60 through 63 - and caps your contribution if needed. It then calculates your employer's match using your match rate and match limit, applies both contributions monthly, and compounds the running balance at your expected annual return. The employer match total shown separately reflects only the employer's contributions, not your own, so you can see that portion clearly.

Common searches this calculator answers

How much will my 401(k) be worth at retirement?
How much free money am I getting from my employer's 401(k) match?
What is the 401(k) contribution limit this year?
How much should I contribute to my 401(k) to get the full match?
How do catch-up contributions work after age 50?
How does my contribution percentage affect my retirement balance?

How to use it

Enter your current age, planned retirement age, current 401(k) balance, and annual salary.
Enter the percentage of your salary you plan to contribute.
Enter your employer's match rate and the salary percentage up to which it applies - check your plan documents for these exact numbers.
Enter your expected annual investment return.
Review your projected balance, and check the "employer match" figure to see how much free money that match adds over time.

Tips

At minimum, contribute enough to capture your full employer match - anything less means turning down part of your compensation.
If your contribution percentage produces an amount above the IRS limit for your age, this calculator automatically caps it and shows a notice - check your actual plan's rules if you rely on exact figures.
Increasing your contribution percentage even slightly, especially early in your career, has an outsized effect thanks to decades of compounding.
Match formulas vary widely between employers - always confirm your plan's exact match rate and limit from your benefits documentation rather than assuming a common formula.
This tool does not account for vesting schedules - some employers require a number of years of service before employer contributions are fully yours.

Frequently asked questions

Is this 401(k) calculator free to use?

Yes. It is completely free, runs entirely in your browser, and does not require any sign-up or download.

Is this financial advice?

No. This tool provides an educational estimate based on the numbers you enter and assumed rates of return. It is not personalized financial advice - consult a licensed financial advisor or your plan provider for guidance specific to your situation.

What is the 2026 401(k) contribution limit?

For 2026, the IRS employee contribution limit is $24,500. Savers age 50 or older can contribute an additional $8,000 catch-up amount for a total of $32,500, and those turning 60 through 63 in 2026 have a higher catch-up limit of $11,250, for a total of $35,750.

Does the employer match count toward my personal contribution limit?

No. The employee limit described above applies only to what you personally contribute. Employer contributions are separate, though there is a higher combined employee-and-employer limit that applies to the total.

What does "match up to 6% of salary" actually mean?

It means your employer matches your contributions at the stated rate, but only up to the point where your own contribution reaches 6% of your salary. Contributing beyond that percentage still grows your own balance, but no longer increases the employer match.

Does this calculator account for vesting?

No. Some employers require you to work a certain number of years before employer contributions fully belong to you if you leave the company. Check your plan's vesting schedule separately, since this calculator assumes all employer contributions are fully vested.

Why did my contribution get capped in the results?

If the dollar amount produced by your entered contribution percentage exceeds the IRS annual limit for your age in a given year, the calculator automatically caps that year's contribution at the legal limit and displays a notice above the results.

Free Retirement Calculator | Estimate Your Retirement Savings

Finance

Free Retirement Calculator - Estimate Your Retirement Savings

Use this free retirement calculator to estimate how much your savings could grow by retirement age, and roughly how long that money might last once you start withdrawing from it. Enter your current age, savings, monthly contributions, and expected return to get an instant projection - a helpful starting point for retirement planning, not a substitute for professional financial advice.

Educational estimate only - not financial advice

Building your retirement savings

Current age

Retirement age

Current retirement savings

Monthly contribution

Expected annual return (pre-retirement)

Projected savings at retirement

Total contributions$0

Total investment growth$0

Years until retirement0

How long could it last

Desired monthly income in retirement

Expected annual return (during retirement)

Estimated savings longevity

0 years

Based on your projected savings and desired monthly withdrawal.

What is a retirement calculator and why it matters

A retirement calculator projects how a starting amount, combined with regular contributions and investment growth, could grow by the time you plan to retire, and then estimates how long that balance might support a target monthly income afterward. This matters because retirement saving is a decades-long project where small differences - starting five years earlier, or contributing $100 more per month - compound into large differences by the time you actually retire. Seeing a rough projection now, however imperfect, makes it far easier to judge whether your current savings rate is on track or needs adjusting, long before retirement is close enough to limit your options. It also makes the trade-offs concrete: seeing the actual dollar gap between retiring at 62 versus 67, or contributing $300 versus $500 a month, is far more useful for decision-making than a vague sense that "saving more is good."

How this calculator works

The savings projection runs a month-by-month simulation from your current age to your retirement age: each month, your existing balance grows by your expected rate of return, and your monthly contribution is added on top, compounding over the full period. The "how long could it last" section then runs the same kind of simulation in reverse - starting from your projected retirement balance, it subtracts your desired monthly income each month while the remaining balance continues to grow at your expected retirement-phase return, continuing until the balance would be depleted or 50 years have passed, whichever comes first. Both phases update instantly as you adjust any input, so you can test different ages, contribution amounts, or return assumptions side by side without re-running anything.

Common searches this calculator answers

How much will my retirement savings be worth by the time I retire?
How much do I need to save each month to retire comfortably?
How long will my retirement savings last once I start withdrawing?
What difference does starting to save earlier actually make?
How much retirement income can $1,000,000 in savings realistically support?
How does my expected rate of return affect my retirement projection?

How to use it

Enter your current age and the age you plan to retire.
Enter your current retirement savings balance and your monthly contribution.
Enter the annual return you expect while still contributing - a long-term diversified average is often used here.
Check your projected savings, total contributions, and total growth at the top of the results.
Enter your desired monthly income and expected retirement-phase return to see the savings longevity estimate below it.

Tips

Run the numbers with a more conservative return estimate as well as an optimistic one - the gap between the two shows your real range of outcomes.
Small increases to your monthly contribution compound significantly over a multi-decade horizon - test raising it by even $50-100 to see the effect.
Retirement-phase returns are often set lower than pre-retirement returns, since portfolios typically shift toward more conservative investments after retiring.
This tool does not account for inflation, taxes, Social Security, pensions, or healthcare costs - all of which materially affect a real retirement plan.
Use this as a starting point for a conversation with a licensed financial advisor, not as a final retirement plan on its own.

Frequently asked questions

Is this retirement calculator free to use?

Yes. It is completely free, runs entirely in your browser, and does not require any sign-up or download.

Is this financial advice?

No. This tool provides an educational estimate based on the numbers you enter and assumed rates of return. It is not personalized financial advice, and you should consult a licensed financial advisor before making retirement decisions.

Does this calculator account for inflation?

No, the projected figures are shown in today's dollars without adjusting for inflation. Since inflation reduces purchasing power over decades, consider using a more conservative expected return to partially account for this, or consult a financial advisor for an inflation-adjusted projection.

Does this include Social Security, pensions, or other income sources?

No. This calculator only projects the savings and contributions you enter. Social Security, pensions, and other retirement income sources are not included and would need to be added separately to get a full picture of your retirement income.

What return rate should I use?

There is no single correct answer, since it depends on your actual investment mix and market conditions. Many long-term projections use a moderate historical average for the pre-retirement phase and a more conservative rate for the retirement phase, but you should base this on your own portfolio and risk tolerance, ideally with guidance from a financial advisor.

Why does the savings longevity show "50+ years" instead of a specific number?

If your expected retirement-phase return is high enough relative to your withdrawal amount, the balance may keep growing faster than you withdraw from it, meaning it would not run out within the 50-year window this calculator checks. This usually indicates a comfortable withdrawal rate relative to your projected balance.

Can I use this if I am close to retirement rather than decades away?

Yes. Set your current age close to your retirement age for a shorter projection window, though with less time for growth to compound, contribution amount and starting balance will have a larger relative effect on the result than the return rate.

Free Auto Loan Calculator Online

Financial Calculators / Free Tools

Free Auto Loan Calculator Online

Use this free auto loan calculator to estimate your monthly car payment, total interest, and total cost - including down payment, trade-in value, sales tax, and extra fees. No sign-up required.

Vehicle price ($)

Down payment ($)

Trade-in value ($)

Title, registration & other fees ($)

Sales tax rate (%)

Applied to price minus trade-in - check your state's rule

Interest rate / APR (%)

Loan term (months)

Monthly payment: -

Loan amount financed-

Total interest-

Total loan cost-

Principal

Interest

Purchase breakdown

Vehicle price-

Down payment-

Trade-in value-

Sales tax-

Fees-

Amount financed-

Sales tax rules vary significantly by state - some tax the full vehicle price, others tax price minus trade-in, and a few states charge no sales tax on vehicles at all. This calculator applies tax to price minus trade-in as a common default; check your state's DMV or tax authority for the exact rule that applies to you.

What is an auto loan calculator and why it matters

An auto loan calculator estimates your monthly car payment by combining the vehicle price, any down payment or trade-in credit, sales tax, fees, the loan term, and the interest rate into one amortized loan amount. This matters because the "amount financed" on a car loan is often different from the sticker price once tax, fees, down payment, and trade-in are factored in - and that financed amount, not the sticker price, is what actually determines your monthly payment and total interest.

How this calculator works

The calculator first works out the amount you'll actually finance: vehicle price, minus down payment, minus trade-in value, plus sales tax (calculated on price minus trade-in) and any title, registration, or dealer fees you add to the loan. That financed amount is then run through the standard loan amortization formula along with your interest rate and chosen term to produce a fixed monthly payment, then multiplies that payment by the number of months to show total interest and total loan cost.

Common searches this calculator answers

What will my monthly car payment be?
How does a trade-in affect my auto loan payment?
How much interest will I pay over the life of a car loan?
How does sales tax affect the amount I finance?
What loan term gives the lowest monthly payment?

How to use it

Enter the vehicle price and your planned down payment.
Enter your trade-in value, if any (enter 0 if you don't have one).
Enter estimated title, registration, and other fees you plan to roll into the loan.
Enter your state's sales tax rate and the interest rate (APR) you expect to qualify for.
Choose your loan term from the dropdown.
Click Calculate payment to see your monthly payment, total interest, total cost, and a full purchase breakdown.

Tips

A longer loan term lowers your monthly payment but increases total interest paid - compare a couple of term lengths before deciding.
A larger down payment reduces the amount financed directly, which lowers both your payment and total interest.
Get your interest rate estimate from a real pre-approval when possible - rates vary significantly based on credit score, loan term, and new vs. used vehicle.
Rolling fees and taxes into the loan means you pay interest on them too - paying some of that upfront in cash reduces total interest over the loan.

Frequently asked questions

Is this auto loan calculator free to use?

Yes. It is completely free, works in your browser, and does not require any sign-up or download.

Does this include sales tax and fees in the loan amount?

Yes, by default it adds sales tax and any fees you enter to the amount financed, which matches how most dealers structure a car loan unless you pay those amounts in cash upfront.

How is sales tax calculated here?

This calculator applies your entered tax rate to the vehicle price minus your trade-in value, which is a common approach in many states. Some states tax the full price regardless of trade-in, so check your local rule if you want an exact figure.

Why does a shorter loan term have a higher monthly payment but lower total cost?

The same loan amount is paid off faster with a shorter term, so more of each payment goes to principal and less time is spent accruing interest, which reduces total interest even though each individual payment is larger.

Can I use this for a used car loan?

Yes. The calculation works the same way for new or used vehicles - just enter the actual price and applicable interest rate for the loan you're evaluating, since used car rates are often higher than new car rates.

Free Student Loan Calculator Online

Financial Calculators / Free Tools

Free Student Loan Calculator Online

Use these free student loan calculators to work out your monthly payment, total interest, and how much faster you could pay off your loan with extra payments. Enter your numbers below - no sign-up required.

Simple Student Loan Calculator

Enter any three values and leave the field you want to solve for empty.

Loan balance ($)

Remaining term (years)

Interest rate (%)

Monthly payment ($)

Repayment: -

Total interest-

Total payments-

Student Loan Repayment Calculator

See how extra payments shorten your payoff time and reduce total interest, compared to your normal schedule.

Loan balance ($)

Current monthly payment ($)

Interest rate (%)

Extra payments (optional)

Extra per month ($)

Extra per year ($)

One-time extra ($)

With extra payments

Remaining term-

Total payments-

Total interest-

Original schedule (no extra payments)

Remaining term-

Total payments-

Total interest-

Time and interest saved-

These calculators provide general estimates for standard fixed-rate amortizing loans. They are not financial advice. Federal income-driven repayment plans, subsidized interest during school, forgiveness programs, and variable-rate loans work differently - check with your loan servicer for figures specific to your actual loan terms.

What is a student loan calculator and why it matters

A student loan calculator works out the relationship between your loan balance, interest rate, monthly payment, and repayment term. Since these four numbers are all connected mathematically, knowing any three lets you solve for the fourth - useful for figuring out what payment you can afford, how long payoff will realistically take, or what rate you're effectively paying. A repayment calculator goes a step further and shows how adding extra payments on top of your normal payment shortens your loan and cuts the interest you'll pay overall.

How these calculators work

The simple calculator uses the standard loan amortization formula that relates loan balance, interest rate, term, and payment. Leave any one of the four fields blank and the calculator solves for it using the other three - for the interest rate specifically, since there's no simple formula to isolate it directly, the calculator finds it through iterative approximation. The repayment calculator simulates your loan month by month, applying your regular payment plus any extra monthly, yearly, or one-time payments you specify, and compares the result against your original no-extra-payments schedule.

Common searches these calculators answer

What will my monthly student loan payment be?
How much interest will I pay over the life of my student loan?
How much faster can I pay off my student loan with extra payments?
How much interest do extra payments save on a student loan?
What loan term do I need for a specific monthly payment?

How to use them

Simple calculator: enter any three of loan balance, term, interest rate, and monthly payment, leaving the one you want solved blank, then click Calculate.
Repayment calculator: enter your loan balance, current monthly payment, and interest rate. Optionally add an extra monthly amount, extra yearly amount, or a one-time extra payment.
Click Calculate repayment to compare your payoff time and interest with and without the extra payments.

Tips

Even a modest extra monthly payment can cut years off a 10-year student loan term, since extra payments reduce principal directly rather than just covering more interest.
Check whether your loan servicer applies extra payments to principal by default - some require you to specifically request this, or extra payments may just prepay future installments instead.
Federal subsidized loans don't accrue interest while you're in school, which the simple calculator here does not model - use it for the repayment phase once your loan term has started.
Refinancing to a lower rate and making extra payments are two separate ways to reduce total interest - this repayment calculator only models the extra payment side.

Frequently asked questions

Are these student loan calculators free to use?

Yes. They are completely free, work in your browser, and do not require any sign-up or download.

Why do I need to leave a field blank in the simple calculator?

The four values - balance, term, rate, and payment - are mathematically linked, so only three independent values are needed. Leaving one blank tells the calculator which one to solve for.

Does the repayment calculator account for federal income-driven repayment plans?

No. It models a standard fixed-payment amortizing loan. Income-driven plans, which base payments on income rather than a fixed schedule, work differently and aren't reflected here.

What happens if my extra payments pay off the loan in the first year?

The calculator stops adding further payments once the balance reaches zero, so total interest and payments only reflect the months actually needed to pay it off.

Can I use this for other types of installment loans, not just student loans?

Yes. The underlying math is standard loan amortization, so it works for any fixed-rate installment loan such as a personal loan or auto loan.

Home

US Inflation Calculator 1913–2026 (Real CPI Data)

Inflation Calculator with U.S. CPI Data

Forward Flat Rate Inflation Calculator

Backward Flat Rate Inflation Calculator

Historical U.S. Annual Inflation Rate (last 25 years)

What is inflation and how is it measured?

Real CPI data vs. flat rate projections

Common searches this calculator answers

How to use it

Frequently asked questions

Keywords

Related searches