What gets published
All-items index for urban consumers (CPI-U): the 12-month rate and the change from August.
All items less food and energy — the steadier underlying trend.
Food, energy, shelter, transport, medical care and more, each with its own rate.
Average US retail prices for selected everyday items, such as eggs and gasoline.
How to read it
It compares September 2026 with September 2025 and is the figure most headlines quote. The previous reading was 3.4%.
12-month rate →If headline moves but core doesn't, a few volatile prices — usually energy — are behind it. Core was 2.4% in August.
Core inflation →The month-on-month figure is seasonally adjusted and can swing. One month rarely makes a trend.
Seasonal adjustment →On the day
October 2026 · times in ETThe release and full tables go live on bls.gov.
New figures, charts and drivers in the explorer, checked against the official release.
A 30-minute online walkthrough of what moved and why. Free, with questions at the end.
The Federal Reserve's summary of business conditions, published the same afternoon.
The September figures explained in plain words, with sources.