The inflation calculator shows what a sum of money from the past is worth in today's prices, using historical CPI data for the UK, US and Eurozone.
How to use the Inflation Calculator
1
Enter a starting amount
2
Select start and end years
3
Choose a country — UK, US or Eurozone CPI
4
Tap Calculate
What £1,000 is worth over time (UK)
How the spending power of £1,000 changes by the time you reach 2026, based on the decade-average CPI estimates this calculator uses. Treat these as a guide rather than exact official figures.
Amount & year
Worth in 2026
Increase
£1,000 in 1970
£20,242
+£19,242
£1,000 in 1980
£6,075
+£5,075
£1,000 in 1990
£2,927
+£1,927
£1,000 in 2000
£2,074
+£1,074
£1,000 in 2010
£1,620
+£620
£1,000 in 2020
£1,302
+£302
Average inflation rate by decade
The approximate decade-average rates this calculator applies for each region, drawn from ONS (UK), BLS (US) and Eurostat (EU) data. The 2020s were unusually volatile — UK CPI peaked at 11.1% in October 2022 before easing to around 2.8% by spring 2026.
Decade
UK
US
Eurozone
Pre-1970
3.5%
2.5%
4.0%
1970s
12.5%
7.5%
9.0%
1980s
7.5%
5.5%
6.5%
1990s
3.5%
3.0%
3.5%
2000s
2.5%
2.7%
2.2%
2010s
2.2%
2.5%
1.8%
2020s
4.5%
5.8%
4.5%
Figures are decade averages reviewed June 2026. For the latest monthly rate, check the official source (ONS, BLS or Eurostat).
Frequently Asked Questions
ℹ️ Accuracy note: Uses ONS CPI data. For guidance only — actual purchasing power varies by individual spending patterns. Source: Office for National Statistics.
The rate at which prices rise over time, reducing the purchasing power of money.
Consumer Price Index — measures average price changes for a basket of goods and services.
The Bank of England targets 2% per year. Long-term average is around 2.5–3%.
It uses decade-average CPI and HICP estimates, so it's ideal for a quick, realistic ballpark. For legal or official figures, check the ONS, BLS or Eurostat indices directly.
Enter 100 as the amount, choose UK, set the start year to 1990 and the end year to today, then read the adjusted value.
Inflation means prices generally rise each year, so the same amount of money buys a little less as time goes on.
CPI is the headline UK inflation measure. RPI usually runs higher because it includes some housing costs such as mortgage interest.
Central banks such as the Bank of England target around 2% a year. The long-run UK average is roughly 2.5–3%.
UK CPI inflation was about 2.8% in spring 2026 (ONS), well down from the 11.1% peak in October 2022. The Bank of England's target is 2%. For the latest monthly figure, check the ONS website.
UK CPI inflation peaked at 11.1% in October 2022 during the energy crisis. Going further back, the 1970s saw far higher rates — above 20% at times.