Inflation Tracker
U.S. Consumer Price Index data from 1960 to today with inflation calculator
Current Annual Inflation
2.8%
CPI as of 2026-02 · Monthly: 0.2%
Historical Inflation Rate
Inflation Calculator
Calculate what a dollar amount from one year would be worth in another year, adjusted for inflation.
$100.00 in 2000 =
$189.11
in 2026 dollars
Cumulative Inflation
+89.1%
2000 to 2026
CPI Category Breakdown
| Category | Weight | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 34.9% | +3.2% |
| Food | 13.5% | +2.1% |
| Transportation | 15.9% | +1.8% |
| Medical Care | 8.4% | +3.5% |
| Energy | 7% | -0.4% |
| Education | 5.8% | +3.8% |
| Apparel | 2.5% | +0.9% |
| Recreation | 5.4% | +1.6% |
| Other | 6.6% | +2.4% |
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Consult a qualified advisor.
Understanding Inflation and the Consumer Price Index
Inflation measures the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises over time, eroding purchasing power. The primary gauge of inflation in the United States is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI tracks the average change in prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services, including food, housing, transportation, medical care, and energy.
How CPI Is Measured
The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects roughly 80,000 price quotes each month from thousands of retail establishments, service providers, and rental units across 75 urban areas nationwide. These prices are weighted according to consumer spending patterns derived from the Consumer Expenditure Survey. The resulting index provides a comprehensive view of price changes across the economy.
Historical Inflation Trends
U.S. inflation has varied significantly over the decades. The 1970s and early 1980s saw double-digit inflation driven by oil price shocks and expansionary monetary policy. The Federal Reserve under Paul Volcker raised interest rates dramatically to combat inflation, bringing it under control by the mid-1980s. From the 1990s through the 2010s, inflation remained relatively stable around 2-3% annually. The post-pandemic period saw a surge in inflation due to supply chain disruptions, stimulus spending, and pent-up demand.
Inflation and the Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve targets an average annual inflation rate of 2%, using monetary policy tools such as the federal funds rate and quantitative easing or tightening to achieve this goal. When inflation rises above target, the Fed typically raises interest rates to cool economic activity and reduce price pressures. Conversely, when inflation falls below target, the Fed may lower rates to stimulate spending and investment.
Impact of Inflation on Everyday Life
Inflation affects virtually every financial decision. Wages that do not keep pace with inflation result in declining real income. Fixed-income retirees are particularly vulnerable as their purchasing power diminishes over time. Home prices, rent, food costs, and healthcare expenses all rise with inflation. Understanding inflation helps individuals make better decisions about savings, investments, salary negotiations, and retirement planning.
Using the Inflation Calculator
Our inflation calculator uses historical CPI data to convert dollar amounts between any two years from 1960 to the present. Simply enter an amount, select the starting and ending years, and the calculator applies the CPI ratio to show you the equivalent purchasing power. This is useful for understanding how much goods cost in past dollars, adjusting historical salaries for comparison, or projecting future costs based on historical trends.