Latest inflation figures
Consumer prices were 3.7% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, based on the CPI-U for all items, not seasonally adjusted (index 336.94). A dollar from 2000 now buys about 51 cents' worth of goods. BLS publishes October 2026 prices on November 10, 2026, and this calculator updates within a day. See the inflation rate for every year since 1914 and prices by year for eggs, gas, rent and more.
How it works
The calculator uses the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), the Bureau of Labor Statistics' main measure of U.S. inflation. It tracks the price of a basket of goods and services bought by urban households, and it goes back to 1913.
Value in later year = amount × (CPI in later year ÷ CPI in earlier year)
For complete years we use the average of that year's monthly index. For 2026 we use the latest month published, September 2026, so the answer moves a little each month as new data arrives.
Worked example
The CPI averaged 130.658 in 1990 and stood at 336.94 in September 2026.
$100 × (336.94 ÷ 130.658) = $257.88. Prices have risen 158% since 1990.
Things to know
- Your own inflation may differ. The CPI follows an average household. Rent, healthcare and tuition have risen faster than the average; electronics much slower.
- It works backwards too. Put the later year first to see what today's money would have been worth in the past.
- 2025 has a gap. BLS did not publish an index for October 2025, because data collection stopped during the federal government shutdown. The 2025 average uses the 11 months that were published.
- This is U.S. inflation. For how far a dollar goes in other countries today, try The Dollar Around the World.
Questions people ask
What is the inflation rate right now?
Consumer prices were 3.7% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, based on the unadjusted CPI-U. BLS headlines the same measure each month.
What is $1 from 1913 worth today?
About $34.09. Prices are roughly 34 times higher than in 1913.
How much buying power has the dollar lost since 2000?
About 49%. A dollar in September 2026 buys what 51 cents bought in 2000.
Why doesn't this match another inflation calculator?
Calculators differ in whether they use annual averages or a single month, and which CPI series they use. The official BLS calculator works month to month; we use annual averages for past years, which smooths out seasonal swings.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Consumer Price Index
- FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: CPI-U, all items, not seasonally adjusted (CPIAUCNS)
Reviewed September 24, 2026 by The Dollars World team. How we build and check our calculators · Our data and formulas. This is general information, not financial advice.