About Worth Today

What is Worth Today?

Worth Today is a free online financial calculator that helps you understand the real value of money over time. Our tool combines two powerful calculations: inflation adjustment using Consumer Price Index (CPI) data and Treasury Bill investment returns to show you how purchasing power changes across decades.

Whether you're researching historical prices, planning investments, or simply curious about how the value of a dollar has changed since 1934, Worth Today provides accurate, data-driven insights using official Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).

How Does the Inflation Calculator Work?

Our inflation calculator uses the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the official measure of inflation in the United States. The CPI tracks the average change in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services.

When you enter an amount and select two dates, our calculator:

  • Retrieves the CPI values for both dates from FRED
  • Calculates the inflation rate between those periods
  • Adjusts your amount to show its equivalent purchasing power
  • Displays the total percentage change in value

This shows you what amount of money in the later date would have the same purchasing power as your original amount.

Treasury Bill Investment Calculator

The Treasury Bill (T-Bill) calculator shows what would have happened if you had invested your money in 3-month Treasury Bills instead of holding cash. T-Bills are considered one of the safest investments, backed by the U.S. government.

Our calculator:

  • Uses historical 3-month Treasury Bill rates from 1934 to 2025
  • Applies compound interest calculations
  • Shows your total investment returns over time
  • Compares investment growth against inflation

Why Compare Inflation vs. Investment Returns?

The side-by-side comparison reveals an important financial insight: holding cash loses value over timedue to inflation, while investing (even in conservative instruments like T-Bills) can help preserve or grow your wealth.

This comparison helps you understand:

  • The opportunity cost of holding cash vs. investing
  • How inflation erodes purchasing power
  • Historical investment performance trends
  • Real vs. nominal returns on investments

Historical Data Coverage

Worth Today provides access to extensive historical financial data:

  • CPI Data: January 1947 to present (updated monthly)
  • Treasury Bill Rates: January 1934 to present (updated monthly)
  • Data Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)
  • Update Frequency: Data is refreshed to include the latest available information

Use Cases for Worth Today

Our inflation and investment calculator is useful for:

  • Historical Research: Compare prices and wages across different time periods
  • Financial Planning: Understand how inflation affects long-term savings and retirement planning
  • Investment Analysis: Evaluate real returns vs. nominal returns on investments
  • Economic Education: Learn about inflation, purchasing power, and compound interest
  • Real Estate: Compare historical property values adjusted for inflation
  • Salary Comparison: Understand wage growth in real terms across decades
  • Estate Planning: Calculate inheritance values in today's dollars

Why Use Official FRED Data?

The Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) is maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and is the authoritative source for U.S. economic data. By using FRED data, Worth Today ensures:

  • Accuracy and reliability of calculations
  • Access to official government statistics
  • Regular updates with the latest data
  • Transparency in data sources

Free and Open Source

Worth Today is completely free to use with no registration required. The project is open source and built with modern web technologies including Next.js, React, and TypeScript.

We believe financial literacy tools should be accessible to everyone, which is why we've made Worth Today available at no cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are the calculations?

Our calculations are based on official CPI and Treasury Bill data from FRED. The results are as accurate as the underlying data, which is the same data used by economists and financial professionals.

Can I use this for tax or legal purposes?

While our calculator uses official data, it's designed for informational and educational purposes. For tax or legal matters, please consult with a qualified professional.

Why might Treasury Bill returns be lower than inflation in some periods?

During certain periods, especially the 1940s and 1970s-1980s, inflation rates exceeded T-Bill returns, resulting in negative real returns. This demonstrates why diversified investing is important for long-term wealth preservation.

How often is the data updated?

FRED updates CPI and T-Bill data monthly. Worth Today pulls the latest available data to ensure you have access to the most current information.

Get Started

Ready to explore the real value of money over time? Try our calculator now:

Use the Calculator