About Our Discount Calculator
Calculate discounts instantly and accurately with our free online discount calculator. Whether you're shopping during a sale, comparing prices, or calculating business markdowns, our tool provides instant results showing your savings and final price.
With our calculator, you can:
Calculate percentage off any original price
Find the final sale price after discount
See exactly how much you save in dollars
Apply multiple discounts sequentially
Compare different discount offers to find the best deal
How to Calculate a Discount
Calculating a discount is straightforward using this simple formula:
Discount Amount = Original Price × (Discount % ÷ 100)
To find the final price after discount:
Final Price = Original Price - Discount Amount
Or use the shortcut formula:
Final Price = Original Price × (1 - Discount % ÷ 100)
Discount Calculation Example
Let's say a jacket originally costs $120 and is on sale for 25% off.
Discount Amount = $120 × (25 ÷ 100)
Discount Amount = $120 × 0.25
Discount Amount = $30
Final Price = $120 - $30 = $90
You save $30 and pay only $90 for the jacket.
Stacking Multiple Discounts
When applying multiple discounts (like a sale plus a coupon code), the discounts are typically applied sequentially, not combined. This is important to understand!
Example: A $100 item with 20% off, then an additional 10% off:
Step 1: $100 × 0.80 = $80 (after 20% off)
Step 2: $80 × 0.90 = $72 (after additional 10% off)
Final Price: $72 (Total 28% off, NOT 30%)
Note that 20% + 10% does not equal 30% off. Sequential discounts result in a smaller total discount than simply adding the percentages.
Common Discount Percentages
| Discount | Multiplier | $100 Item | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | × 0.90 | $90 | $10 |
| 15% | × 0.85 | $85 | $15 |
| 20% | × 0.80 | $80 | $20 |
| 25% | × 0.75 | $75 | $25 |
| 33% (1/3 off) | × 0.67 | $67 | $33 |
| 50% (half off) | × 0.50 | $50 | $50 |
| 75% | × 0.25 | $25 | $75 |
Discount vs Markup
Understanding the difference between discount and markup is important for both shoppers and business owners:
| Feature | Discount | Markup |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Reduces the price | Increases the price |
| Used By | Retailers for sales | Businesses for pricing |
| Base Price | Original retail price | Cost/wholesale price |
| Formula | Price × (1 - %) | Cost × (1 + %) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the original price from a sale price?
Divide the sale price by (1 - discount percentage). For example, if an item costs $60 after a 25% discount: $60 ÷ 0.75 = $80 original price.
Is "Buy One Get One 50% Off" better than 25% off?
BOGO 50% off equals 25% off per item when buying two items. However, if you only need one item, a straight 25% discount is better since you don't have to buy two.
How do I find what percent off something is?
Use the formula: ((Original - Sale) ÷ Original) × 100. For example, if an item went from $80 to $60: (($80 - $60) ÷ $80) × 100 = 25% off.
Do discounts apply before or after tax?
Discounts are typically applied to the pre-tax price. Sales tax is then calculated on the discounted amount, so you also save on taxes when items are discounted.
What's the difference between "% off" and "$ off"?
Percentage off scales with the price (20% off $100 = $20, but 20% off $50 = $10). Dollar off is fixed ($20 off is always $20 regardless of price). Compare both to find the better deal.
Smart Shopping Tips
Compare unit prices: A smaller discount on a cheaper store brand might still be the better deal
Stack discounts wisely: Look for stores that allow combining coupons with sale prices
Watch for fake discounts: Some retailers inflate "original" prices to make discounts seem larger
Consider timing: End of season, holiday sales, and clearance events often have the deepest discounts
Use our discount calculator above to quickly determine sale prices, compare deals, and maximize your savings. The calculator works for any currency and any discount percentage.