Inflation & Purchasing Power Calculator

A dollar sitting in cash isn't standing still, it's quietly losing ground every single year. This shows exactly how much.

Reading This Tool

How To Use This Calculator

Enter an amount, an assumed inflation rate, and a number of years.

This runs the calculation both directions at once: what today's money will actually be able to buy in the future, and how much future money it would take to match what today's amount can buy right now.

Your Inputs

Amount Today $100,000

Assumed Annual Inflation Rate 3.0%

Years 20 yrs

Canada's inflation target is 2% annually over the long run, though actual inflation has swung well above and below that in any given year. Use whatever assumption fits the horizon you're actually planning for.

What This Money Is Really Worth

Purchasing Power Of Today's Amount, In The Future

Amount Needed Then To Match Today's Buying Power

Cumulative Purchasing Power Lost

Purchasing Power Of Today's Amount Over Time

Uses a constant assumed inflation rate for the entire period, real inflation varies considerably year to year. This illustrates the mechanics of compounding purchasing power loss, not a forecast of actual future prices.

Planning what your savings actually need to grow into?

Model The Growth Side Too →