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Inflation

See how costs rise over time, or work backwards from a future amount to its value today.

1The amount
₹1L
2Over time
In 10 years, today’s ₹1 L will cost₹1.8 L

And ₹1 L kept as cash would only buy what ₹55,839 buys today.

Future cost
₹1.8 L
Buying power left
₹55,839
55.8% of today
Prices double in
11.9 yrs
At 6% a year

What your cash still buys

  • Still buys₹55,839
  • Lost to inflation₹44,161
How we work it out

Future cost = amount × (1 + inflation)^years. Buying power = amount ÷ (1 + inflation)^years. Inflation is the annual percentage divided by 100. It stays constant in this illustration; actual prices vary by category and year.

See how inflation changes purchasing power

Inflation increases the cost of goods and services over time. This calculator shows two views of the same assumption: what today’s expense could cost in the future, and what an unchanged cash amount could buy in today’s money.

  1. Choose Future cost for an amount today, or Reverse inflation for an amount in the future.
  2. Choose an assumed annual inflation rate and number of years.
  3. Compare the future cost or equivalent value today, buying power left and estimated time for prices to double.

The calculation

Future cost=amount×1+inflationyears Buying power=amount1+inflationyears Doubling time=ln(2)ln(1+inflation)
The inflation rate stays constant for this illustration. At zero inflation, prices do not double under the assumption.

Common questions

How do I calculate reverse inflation?

Select Reverse inflation, enter the future amount, and set the annual inflation rate and years from now. The calculator divides the future amount by (1 + inflation rate / 100) raised to the number of years to show its value in today’s money.

Is the inflation assumption a live Indian inflation rate?

No. It is an editable scenario assumption. Actual inflation differs over time and across spending categories.

What happens at zero inflation?

The future cost and buying power stay equal to the starting amount, and prices do not double under that assumption.

Does this calculator include investment returns?

No. This tool isolates inflation’s effect on a cost or unchanged cash. Use the FIRE planner for an inflation-adjusted retirement projection, or investment growth for nominal investment values.