inflation calculator
Find out what money was worth in any year — USA & Canada CPI data from 1914 — no sign-up.
CPI data sourced from US Bureau of Labor Statistics and Statistics Canada. Values are annual averages. Data for the most recent years may be preliminary estimates. This calculator is for informational purposes only.
Notable inflation periods
| 1979–80 | 13.5% USA peak |
| 1991 | Recession low |
| 2000–19 | Stable 1–3% |
| 2021–22 | 8.3% surge |
| 2023–24 | Cooling 3–4% |
| 2025–26 | ~2.5% est. |
What is inflation?
Inflation is the rate at which prices rise over time, reducing the purchasing power of money. If inflation averages 3% per year, $100 today will only buy what $97 buys next year.
What is CPI?
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average change in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services. It is the most widely used inflation measure in both the USA and Canada.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
Inflation erodes savings. Knowing how purchasing power has changed helps you understand wages, investments, and historical prices in real terms.
What caused the 2021–22 surge?
A combination of pandemic-era supply chain disruptions, massive government stimulus spending, and a rapid rebound in demand caused the sharpest inflation spike since the 1980s in both the USA and Canada.
How accurate is this calculator?
The CPI data used is sourced from official government statistics. Annual average CPI is used rather than monthly figures, so results are accurate to within a few percent for most years.