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The CPI Inflation Calculator extracts the latest CPI data directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The All-Items CPI, used by the calculator to calculate inflation rates in the United States, is updated as soon as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases its monthly CPI data. We calculate the impact of the CPI on the U.S. dollar over time, to help you understand the impact of inflation on your finances.
Our inflation calculator is updated every month, on CPI release days. Keep in mind that we are a non-profit website that does its best to ensure our inflation and CPI numbers are accurate. However, we recommend that you always double check our numbers with the BLS website, especially if you rely on accurate CPI data to make important decisions.
Inflation Calculator FAQ
Have questions about how our CPI Inflation Calculator works? Here are the most common answers, updated for 2026.
+ How do I use the CPI Inflation Calculator?
Enter the dollar amount you want to compare, then enter the starting year and ending year. For example, you can enter $100 in 1980 and compare it to 2026 to estimate how much purchasing power has changed over time.
After you click Calculate, the calculator shows the adjusted dollar value, cumulative inflation rate, number of years, average annual inflation rate, and CPI values used in the calculation.
+ How accurate is this inflation calculator?
Our calculator is designed to use Consumer Price Index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is the official U.S. government source for CPI data.
We update the calculator regularly when new CPI data is released. If you are using the data for financial, legal, academic, or business decisions, we recommend cross-checking the latest figures directly with the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
+ What years does the inflation calculator cover?
The calculator covers U.S. CPI data starting in 1913, which is the first full year commonly used for long-term U.S. CPI inflation calculations.
As of 2026, the calculator is maintained with the latest available CPI data released by the BLS. Because CPI data is released monthly, the most recent year may be based on the latest available data rather than a completed full-year average.
+ How are inflation rates calculated?
The calculator compares the CPI value from the starting year with the CPI value from the ending year.
To estimate the adjusted dollar value, the calculator multiplies your original dollar amount by the ratio of the ending CPI to the starting CPI.
+ What is the Consumer Price Index?
The Consumer Price Index, or CPI, measures the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services. It is one of the most widely used measures of inflation in the United States.
The CPI includes categories such as food, housing, transportation, medical care, apparel, recreation, education, and other goods and services. You can learn more from the BLS CPI FAQ.
+ What is the link between CPI and inflation?
CPI is one of the main tools used to measure inflation. When CPI rises, it usually means the average cost of consumer goods and services has increased. In practical terms, your dollar does not stretch as far as it did before.
That is why people use CPI data to compare prices, wages, savings, investment returns, rents, and other dollar amounts across different years.
+ Why does the calculator use CPI-U?
CPI-U stands for the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. It is the most commonly cited version of CPI and covers a broad share of the U.S. population.
For most everyday inflation comparisons, CPI-U is a practical benchmark because it reflects price changes across a wide range of consumer goods and services.
+ Why do inflation calculator results differ from real-life price changes?
CPI measures broad average price changes. Your personal inflation rate may be higher or lower depending on where you live, what you buy, whether you rent or own, your healthcare costs, transportation costs, and lifestyle.
For example, someone who spends a large share of their budget on rent, groceries, or gasoline may experience inflation differently than someone whose spending is concentrated in other categories.
+ Is this inflation calculator updated for 2026?
Yes. This inflation calculator is maintained for 2026 and updated when new CPI data is released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The BLS usually publishes CPI data monthly. You can also check our CPI release schedule to see when the next inflation update is expected.
+ Can I add this inflation calculator to my website?
Yes. You can add our inflation calculator to your own website using our free widget. Visit the calculator widget page, customize the widget, and copy the code into your site.
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