Inflation rate (consumer prices) · United States
United States CPI
The United States CPI measures how much the prices that households in the United States pay for a typical basket of goods and services have risen over the past year.
- Importance
- High
- Released
- Monthly
- Next release
- Currency
- USD · US dollar
- Central bank
- The Federal Reserve
Latest figures
The latest release for SEP, published on 14 October 2026, came in at 336.94, above the consensus of 336.65, up from 334.98 the time before.
A higher figure than expected makes the Federal Reserve more likely to keep rates high or raise them: it tends to support the US dollar and push bond yields up, and is often a weight on stocks.
Over the last 12 releases it ranged from 324.05 to 336.94, averaging 330.26; it has been rising for three releases in a row.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Oct 2026 | SEP | 336.94 | 336.65 | 334.98 |
| 11 Sep 2026 | AUG | 334.98 | 334.85 | 333.92 |
| 12 Aug 2026 | JUL | 333.92 | 333.99 | 333.95 |
| 14 Jul 2026 | JUN | 333.95 | 334.70 | 335.12 |
| 10 Jun 2026 | MAY | 335.12 | 335.11 | 333.02 |
| 12 May 2026 | APR | 333.02 | – | 330.21 |
| 10 Apr 2026 | MAR | 330.21 | 330.41 | 326.79 |
| 11 Mar 2026 | FEB | 326.79 | 326.79 | 325.25 |
| 13 Feb 2026 | JAN | 325.25 | 325.41 | 324.05 |
| 13 Jan 2026 | DEC | 324.05 | – | 324.12 |
| 18 Dec 2025 | NOV | 324.12 | 325.13 | – |
| 24 Oct 2025 | SEP | 324.80 | 325.01 | 323.98 |
Why it matters
Inflation is what the Federal Reserve is charged with controlling, so this is one of the most market-moving releases of the month. A figure above expectations makes rate hikes (or a longer wait for cuts) more likely, which usually lifts the US dollar and bond yields; a soft figure does the reverse. It also drives wages, pensions and benefits that are linked to prices.
How it is calculated
the Bureau of Labor Statistics (prices and jobs), the Bureau of Economic Analysis (GDP, income and spending) and the Census Bureau (retail sales, housing, trade) collects many thousands of prices every month (food, rent, energy, transport, clothing, services) and weights them by how much households spend on each, from household surveys. The index compares the cost of the basket with a base year; the inflation rate is the change from the same month a year earlier.
CPI = Σ (price now ÷ base price) × weight × 100
Inflation (yoy) = CPI ÷ CPI 12 months ago − 1What changes mean
- Above the central bank's target (usually 2%) and rising: pressure for higher rates.
- Look at the core rate and services prices to see if the move is broad or driven by energy and food.
- Base effects: a big jump a year ago drops out of the yearly rate and can make it fall even if prices keep rising.
- Markets react to the difference from the consensus, often to a single decimal.
Higher than expected: A higher figure than expected makes the Federal Reserve more likely to keep rates high or raise them: it tends to support the US dollar and push bond yields up, and is often a weight on stocks.
Lower than expected: A lower figure than expected gives the Federal Reserve room to cut or hold rates lower: the US dollar tends to soften and bond yields to fall.
A short history
The United States began publishing a national consumer price index in 1919, the United Kingdom's index goes back to 1914. Inflation targeting, started by New Zealand in 1990, made this release the centre of monetary policy almost everywhere.
Questions
What is the United States CPI?
The United States CPI measures how much the prices that households in the United States pay for a typical basket of goods and services have risen over the past year.
What was the latest United States CPI?
336.94 for SEP, published on 14 October 2026 (consensus 336.65, previous 334.98).
When is the next United States CPI?
On Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 13:30 UTC.
What is a good inflation rate?
Most central banks, including the Federal Reserve in many cases, aim for about 2% a year: low enough not to erode savings, high enough to avoid deflation.
Why does the United States CPI move the US dollar?
Because it changes what traders expect the Federal Reserve to do with the federal funds target range, and interest rates decide what holding the currency pays.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.