How inflation is calculated
Inflation is the yearly rise in prices. Over several years it compounds, just like interest. Future price = amount × (1 + rate)years. The flip side is purchasing power: what a fixed amount can still buy falls to amount ÷ (1 + rate)years. So at 6% for 10 years, prices rise about 79%, and today's money is worth only ~56% of what it is now.
What 100 today will cost in the future
The price of something that costs 100 now, after steady inflation. Works in any currency — for 50,000, multiply by 500.
| Inflation | 5 yrs | 10 yrs | 15 yrs | 20 yrs | 25 yrs | 30 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2% | 110 | 122 | 135 | 149 | 164 | 181 |
| 3% | 116 | 134 | 156 | 181 | 209 | 243 |
| 4% | 122 | 148 | 180 | 219 | 267 | 324 |
| 5% | 128 | 163 | 208 | 265 | 339 | 432 |
| 6% | 134 | 179 | 240 | 321 | 429 | 574 |
| 8% | 147 | 216 | 317 | 466 | 685 | 1,006 |
| 10% | 161 | 259 | 418 | 673 | 1,083 | 1,745 |
| 12% | 176 | 311 | 547 | 965 | 1,700 | 2,996 |
What 100 will be worth in today's money
The other side of the same coin: what 100 kept as cash will buy in the future, measured in today's prices.
| Inflation | 5 yrs | 10 yrs | 15 yrs | 20 yrs | 25 yrs | 30 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2% | 91 | 82 | 74 | 67 | 61 | 55 |
| 3% | 86 | 74 | 64 | 55 | 48 | 41 |
| 4% | 82 | 68 | 56 | 46 | 38 | 31 |
| 5% | 78 | 61 | 48 | 38 | 30 | 23 |
| 6% | 75 | 56 | 42 | 31 | 23 | 17 |
| 8% | 68 | 46 | 32 | 21 | 15 | 10 |
| 10% | 62 | 39 | 24 | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| 12% | 57 | 32 | 18 | 10 | 6 | 3 |
Why inflation matters for your savings
Cash that isn't earning at least the inflation rate is losing value every year, even if the number in your account doesn't change. To simply keep up, your savings need to grow at the inflation rate; to get ahead, they need to beat it. Compare with the compound interest calculator to see if your savings are outpacing inflation.
Real vs nominal returns
A "5% return" during 6% inflation is actually a −1% real return — you went backwards in buying power. Always judge investments by their real (after-inflation) return, not the headline number.
How much will 100 be worth in 10 years with inflation?
At 3% inflation, about 74 in today's money; at 6%, about 56; at 10%, about 39. Cash loses value every year it isn't earning more than inflation.
How long does it take prices to double?
Divide 72 by the inflation rate. At 6% prices double in about 12 years; at 10%, in about 7. At 3%, it takes around 24 years.
What inflation rate should I use?
Use your country's recent average. Central-bank targets are often ~2%, but actual rates vary widely — check your local figure for the years you care about.
Does this use official CPI data?
No — it's a steady-rate projection so it works for any country and any future period. Real inflation jumps around year to year, so treat the result as a well-grounded estimate.