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Real value of a future amount calculator

Enter the nominal amount you'll receive in the future, the expected annual inflation, and how many years from now. The calculator works out what that amount is worth in today's money.

Result

Real value in today's money

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This calculation is for informational purposes only and does not replace advice from a qualified professional. Formulas and rates may not fit your exact situation — double-check the figures before making decisions.

How it is calculated

Real value = nominal amount ÷ (1 + inflation ÷ 100)^number of years. This is deflating — the reverse of compounding: instead of growing an amount over time, inflation eats away at its purchasing power, and the formula computes how much of today's money that future amount is equivalent to.

The metric answers a practical question: if you're promised a fixed nominal amount in a few years, what is it actually worth once rising prices are accounted for — this matters especially for long-term fixed payouts, contracts and retirement savings.

The higher the inflation and the longer the term, the more a nominal amount loses in real value — even fairly modest inflation over 10–20 years can cut a fixed amount's purchasing power in half.

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