U.S. Inflation Calculator
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What Your Result Means
- Equivalent Value: What your dollar amount is worth in the target year's purchasing power, adjusted using the CPI ratio between the two years.
- Cumulative Inflation: The total percentage increase in the price level between the two years. A value of 200% means prices tripled.
- Dollar Change: The raw dollar difference between the original amount and its inflation-adjusted equivalent.
- Avg. Annual Rate: The compound annual inflation rate over the period — useful for comparing inflation across different time spans.
How This Calculator Works
You enter a dollar amount and choose a start and end year. The tool multiplies the amount by the ratio of the CPI-U index values for those years to find the equivalent purchasing power. It supports both directions: "Past → Present" inflates old dollars forward, while "Present → Past" deflates current dollars backward. All data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U annual averages (1913–2025).
Quick Questions
What is CPI-U?
CPI-U stands for Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. It measures the average change in prices paid by urban consumers for a basket of goods and services, and is the most commonly cited U.S. inflation metric.
Why does this only go back to 1913?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics began publishing CPI data in 1913. Earlier years lack consistent, comparable price data, so most inflation calculators start there.
Does this account for regional price differences?
No. CPI-U is a national average. Inflation can vary significantly between cities and regions. The BLS publishes regional CPI data separately for finer comparisons.
Is CPI the same as the cost of living?
Not exactly. CPI measures price changes for a fixed basket of goods, while cost of living includes substitution effects and quality improvements. CPI is generally considered a close but imperfect proxy.
How often is the CPI data updated?
The BLS releases monthly CPI data, but this calculator uses annual averages. We update the data each year when the full-year average becomes available.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Consumer Price Index (official CPI-U data, methodology, and FAQs)
- BLS CPI-U Series CUUR0000SA0 (the specific data series used in this calculator)
- Federal Reserve — Inflation FAQs (how inflation is measured and its economic impact)
Method & review
Estimate only. Results reflect your inputs and standard formulas — they are not financial, tax, legal, health, or investment advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.