Inflation Calculator (CPI)
What did $100 in 1990 buy compared with today? This calculator uses the official Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U, from 1913 through September 2026.
How it's calculated
Value = amount × CPI(to) ÷ CPI(from), using the CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S. city average, all items, not seasonally adjusted (BLS series CUUR0000SA0, 1982–84 = 100). Years use the BLS annual average index; "September 2026 (latest)" uses that single month's index (336.94). The average yearly rate is the compound annual rate between the midpoints of the periods. CPI measures average price changes for urban consumers; your own costs may rise faster or slower depending on what you buy and where you live.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – CPI-U (CUUR0000SA0)
Questions & answers
What index does this inflation calculator use?
The official Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S. city average, all items, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics — the most widely quoted U.S. inflation measure.
What was the U.S. inflation rate in 2025?
Based on BLS annual averages, CPI-U rose from 313.689 in 2024 to 321.943 in 2025, an increase of about 2.6%.
Why might my result differ from other calculators?
Some calculators use a single month (often January) instead of annual averages, or the seasonally adjusted series. This one uses BLS annual averages for full years and the latest published month for the current year.
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