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Inflation (CPI) calculator

See how inflation erodes the purchasing power of your money over time.

The amount whose evolution you want to see.
Estimated average annual inflation. In Spain it is usually around 2-3%.
How many years into the future to project.
Nominal annual return you place the money at. 0% = money sitting idle in the account. If it doesn't beat inflation, you still lose purchasing power.
Future equivalent
€18,061
Purchasing power (idle)
€5,537
Purchasing power (invested)
€8,227
Power lost
44.63%
Real annual return
-0.97%

Purchasing power over time

Show the chart data: Purchasing power over time

Information, not tax or financial advice.

How the inflation calculator works

Inflation is the general rise in prices: over time, the same money buys less. This calculator shows how the purchasing power of an amount erodes, and compares leaving the money idle with investing it at a given return.

How to read the result. You'll see what an amount will be worth, in today's purchasing power, in a few years (idle and also invested), and how much you'll need to keep the same standard of living. The real return is what you actually earn: your return minus inflation.

Worked example (default values). €10,000 today, with 3 % annual inflation, in 20 years, placed at a 2 % return:

  • Left idle, it'll be worth about €5,537 in today's money (a 44.6 % loss).
  • Invested at 2 %, it'll be worth about €8,227 in today's money: better, but you still lose power.
  • The real return is -0.97 % a year: 2 % doesn't beat the 3 % inflation.
  • To buy what €10,000 buys today, in 20 years you'll need about €18,061.

An important note. That's why idle money loses value: if it doesn't earn at least the inflation rate, it's worth less each year. Think in real terms (return minus inflation).

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