The Unidad de Fomento (UF) is a unit of account adjusted daily for inflation so that long-term amounts do not lose value. On October 15, 2026 it is worth CLP 41,162.73, according to the official table from Chile's Internal Revenue Service (SII). It is used for mortgages, rents, insurance, health plans and fines.
What the UF is
The UF was created in Chile in 1967 to protect savings and loans from inflation, which was very high at the time. It is not a currency: there are no UF notes or coins. It is a reference for setting amounts that are then paid in pesos, at the UF value of that day.
How the UF is calculated
The UF value is adjusted every day from the 10th of one month to the 9th of the next, according to the change in the previous month's consumer price index (IPC). The adjustment is spread evenly day by day, so the full IPC change is reached on the 9th.
A real example: the September 2026 IPC rose 0.4%. The UF went from CLP 41,130.94 on October 9 to CLP 41,295.46 on November 9: exactly 0.4% more, according to the SII table.
| Date | UF value (SII) |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2026 | CLP 41,065.38 |
| October 9, 2026 | CLP 41,130.94 |
| October 15, 2026 | CLP 41,162.73 |
| October 31, 2026 | CLP 41,247.63 |
| November 9, 2026 | CLP 41,295.46 |
How much the UF has risen
| Date | UF value |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2016 | CLP 25,629.09 |
| January 1, 2021 | CLP 29,069.39 |
| January 1, 2025 | CLP 38,419.17 |
| January 1, 2026 | CLP 39,731.79 |
| October 15, 2026 | CLP 41,162.73 |
In ten years, the UF rose by more than 60%. That increase is the accumulated inflation over the period: what cost 1 UF in 2016 still costs 1 UF today, but it is worth many more pesos. Year-by-year inflation is in inflation in Chile over the last 50 years.
What the UF is used for
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Mortgages | The installment is set in UF and paid in pesos |
| Rents | Many leases are set in UF to adjust with inflation |
| Health plans and insurance | Premiums are expressed in UF |
| Savings and investments | Inflation-indexed deposits that protect against inflation |
| Fines and fees | Some fines and fees are set in UF |
UF, UTM and the dollar: the differences
| Unit | Adjusted by | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| UF | The IPC, daily | Loans, rents, insurance |
| UTM | The IPC, monthly | Taxes and fines |
| Dólar observado | The foreign exchange market | Foreign trade and dollar contracts |
The exchange rate follows a different logic; we explain it in what the dólar observado is.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the UF worth today?
On October 15, 2026, CLP 41,162.73, according to the SII.
How often does the UF change?
Every day, from the 10th of each month to the 9th of the next, according to the previous month's IPC.
Who calculates the UF?
Chile's Central Bank, based on the IPC published by INE. The SII publishes the table of values.
Why do mortgage payments in UF go up?
Because the UF rises with inflation: the same number of UF is worth more pesos each month.
