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Useful next calculations
Rates & sources
Purchasing-power illustration using the inflation rate you enter. South African CPI is published by Stats SA.
Source: Stats SA — Consumer Price Index — check the linked guidance and any live quote before acting.
When to use this calculator
- When you want to see how a published inflation rate changes the real value of a sum of money.
- When you are comparing a cash amount today with the same amount in a past or future year.
- When you need a purchasing-power illustration alongside a savings or investment projection.
- When you want to convert a historic price into today’s money using a CPI-style rate.
A realistic South Africa planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting Amount (R) | 10000 |
| Annual Inflation Rate (%) | 2.5% |
| Years | 10 years |
After entering these figures, focus on result first and then rerun the tool with a more cautious assumption.
How to read your results
Result
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
This calculator applies compound inflation to convert a sum of money between two points in time. Enter a published consumer price index (CPI) or equivalent annual rate for the country the cash amount belongs to. When a rate is entered, the tool applies that rate consistently across every year in the range, which is a simplification — official inflation fluctuates year to year. The result is a purchasing-power illustration, not a forecast of prices, wages, investment returns or borrowing costs.
Common mistakes
- !Using a made-up inflation rate instead of a published CPI or equivalent figure.
- !Treating the result as a forecast of future prices or investment returns.
- !Mixing annual and monthly rates without converting them.
- !Comparing two countries using inflation indexes that are not equivalent.
What to do next
- Rerun the calculation with a published local inflation rate as well as a cautious higher rate.
- Compare the result with a savings or investment projection if you are planning for a future cost.
- Keep a note of the index and period you used so the estimate can be updated.
- Do not treat this purchasing-power figure as a wage, tax or mortgage decision.
Frequently asked
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