Find out how the purchasing power of money has changed over time. This inflation calculator uses official US CPI data from 1913 to 2025 to show you what any amount of money is worth in today’s dollars — or what today’s money was worth in the past.
Historical US Inflation Highlights
| Period | Event | Avg Annual Inflation |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | Post-WWI Deflation | -10.5% |
| 1941-1945 | WWII | ~5.5% |
| 1979-1981 | Oil Crisis Peak | ~12% |
| 2008-2009 | Financial Crisis | ~0% |
| 2021-2022 | Post-COVID Surge | ~7% |
| 2024-2025 | Cooling Inflation | ~2.5-3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is inflation?
Inflation is the rate at which the general price level of goods and services rises over time, causing the purchasing power of money to fall. The US Federal Reserve targets 2% annual inflation.
What was the highest inflation rate in US history?
US inflation peaked at around 23% in 1920 post-WWI, and again near 15% in 1980 during the oil crisis. The 2022 post-COVID surge hit 9.1%, the highest in 40 years.
How does inflation affect savings?
Inflation erodes the real value of cash savings. At 3% annual inflation, $10,000 today has the purchasing power of only $7,441 in 10 years.
What is the difference between CPI and inflation?
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the most widely used measure of inflation. It tracks price changes of a basket of common goods and services over time.
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