DATA, CALCULATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Methodology & editorial policy — United Kingdom

Name: Price data: World Bank · FP.CPI.TOTL
Creator: Money Replay

Enter an old sterling amount to see roughly what it would buy today. For a sum written in pounds, shillings and old pence, first change it into decimal pounds.

Price comparisons use annual data through 2025. Only optional currency conversions use a recent exchange rate.

2026-08-15

Who publishes Money Replay

Money Replay is an independent educational website. It is not a bank, government agency, financial adviser, appraiser, or affiliate of the listed data providers.

See what an old sterling amount would be worth today.

Calculation: input amount × (2025 index ÷ selected-year index)

present value = input amount × (100 ÷ selected-year index)

Choose the year and sterling amountEnter the date and amount from a receipt, wage record, advert, family paper or historical account.
Adjust for UK price changeThe calculator compares average UK consumer prices from 1960 onward. For earlier years or more detailed figures, use the Bank of England, ONS and National Archives links below.
Read the result in contextRead the answer as an estimate based on average consumer prices, then distinguish it from earnings, housing, assets and collectible money.

Price data

Use these public sources to check the price figures, how old money becomes decimal pounds, and how reliable very old comparisons are.

Price data: World Bank · FP.CPI.TOTL
Reference year: 2025
annual average: 1960–2025

World Bank · FP.CPI.TOTL ↗

Official sources behind the comparison

Inflation calculatorBank of England guide to what old sterling amounts equal today, including notes on long-run uncertainty.
UK consumer-price data over timeONS datasets covering CPIH, CPI and RPI.
Shillings to pounds converterBank of England conversion for pounds, shillings, old pence and farthings.
The story of decimalisationRoyal Mint Museum history of Decimal Day on 15 February 1971.
Currency converter: 1270–2017The National Archives historical comparison based on records and official statistics.

Updates and corrections

Calculations are updated when an official annual series changes or when an error is confirmed. A modified date changes only after a substantive change; sources, coverage and limitations remain visible.

UK STERLING FAQ

What this UK calculation can—and cannot—tell you

Which UK inflation measure does the calculator use?

It compares broad consumer-price changes. UK statistics also include CPIH and RPI, which measure prices differently, so another calculator may give a different answer.

How accurate is a comparison over several centuries?

This calculator does not produce a pre-1960 sterling result. For earlier periods, use the cited specialist sources and treat their long-run comparisons as indicative because goods, housing, household spending and data quality changed substantially.

What is the difference between CPI, CPIH and RPI?

CPI is the government target measure, CPIH adds owner-occupiers’ housing costs, and RPI is a long-standing legacy measure that is not an Accredited Official Statistic. Results can therefore differ.

Can I enter pounds, shillings and old pence directly?

Not as modern decimal pounds. First convert £sd using £1 = 20 shillings and 1 shilling = 12 old pence, then compare the decimal amount with today’s price level.