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See how inflation erodes purchasing power — the future cost of the same basket and what a future amount is worth today.
Add a return rate to compare investing the money vs. inflation. Historic long-run averages: inflation ~2–3%, a broad stock index ~7% real, cash savings ~0–1%.
The same $1,000.00 of goods will cost
$1,628.89
in 10 years, at 5% inflation a year
If you keep it as cash, it buys
$613.91
as much shopping as this buys today
Buying power you lose
38.61%
same money, this much less on the shelf
Time for cash to lose half its value
14.21 years
at this inflation rate
If you keep $1,000.00 as plain cash — money you don't invest — the number never changes, but what it can buy shrinks every year as prices rise. After 10 years your $1,000.00 buys only $613.91 worth of goods — 38.61% of its spending power is gone.
What $1,000.00 of goods will cost in later years. Add a savings return above to overlay whether your money keeps up with prices.
| Year | Same goods cost | Your cash can buy | Power lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 | 0% |
| 1 | $1,050.00 | $952.38 | 4.76% |
| 2 | $1,102.50 | $907.03 | 9.3% |
| 3 | $1,157.63 | $863.84 | 13.62% |
| 4 | $1,215.51 | $822.70 | 17.73% |
| 5 | $1,276.28 | $783.53 | 21.65% |
| 6 | $1,340.10 | $746.22 | 25.38% |
| 7 | $1,407.10 | $710.68 | 28.93% |
| 8 | $1,477.46 | $676.84 | 32.32% |
| 9 | $1,551.33 | $644.61 | 35.54% |
| 10 | $1,628.89 | $613.91 | 38.61% |
Amount today
The money you want to follow over time. Example: $1,000.00 sitting in a bank account right now.
Currency
Only changes the symbol shown next to every number — the math is identical. Example: pick “₹ INR” and you'll see ₹ instead of $.
Annual inflation %
How much prices climb each year. Example: at 5%, something priced $100 today costs about $105.00 a year from now. Long-run averages run about 2–3%.
Years
How far into the future to look. Example: 10 means “show me where I stand 10 years from today.”
Your savings return %/yr (optional)
What your money earns if you invest it instead of holding cash. Leave it blank to skip the comparison. Example: around 7 for a broad stock index, or 0–1 for a plain savings account.
The same goods will cost
What today's shopping basket rings up as later. Example: what costs $1,000.00 today costs $1,628.89 in 10 years.
If you keep it as cash, it buys
Leave the money in cash and this is what it actually fetches later, measured in today's prices. Example: your $1,000.00 shops like $613.91does today.
Buying power you lose
The share of its usefulness the cash quietly gives up. Example: 38.61% gone — same notes in your wallet, 38.61% less on the shelf.
Time for cash to lose half its value
How long until your money buys only half as much. Example: about 14.21 years at 5%.