Discount Calculator

Q: What's the difference between a markdown and a discount?

Functionally for a shopper, they are very similar. A 'markdown' is the permanent reduction in a product's price, often to clear inventory. A 'discount' is a temporary reduction, usually offered through coupons, sales, or promotions. Our tool calculates both.

💰 Never overpay again. Instantly calculate the final sale price, check your savings, and even find the original price of an item. Our easy-to-use tool does the math for you.

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Original Price

Discount Type

Discount Value

Sales Tax (%)

Other Costs

Currency

How to Use Our Sale Price Calculator

Get the exact final price in five simple steps. Our tool is designed to be intuitive, fast, and accurate for any shopping scenario.

Choose Your Goal: Select 'Calculate Final Price' to find the cost after a discount, or 'Find Original Price' to see the price before the sale.
Enter the Price: Input the 'Original Price' or the 'Final Price (You Paid)' depending on your selected mode.
Add the Discount: Choose the discount type (percentage or fixed amount) and enter the value.
Include Extras (Optional): Add the sales tax percentage and any other costs like shipping to get the true total cost.
Get Instant Results: The calculator automatically shows your savings, the price after the discount, and the final cost in the summary panel.

Mastering Discount Math: A Smart Shopper's Guide

Understanding how to calculate discounts is the first step toward becoming a savvy shopper. Whether you're facing a massive holiday sale or just using a simple coupon, knowing the math ensures you're always getting the best deal. This guide, powered by our sale price calculator, will walk you through everything you need to know.

The "Double Discount" Myth

Imagine a TV is $1,200. It's on sale for 30% off, plus a coupon for an additional 10% off. This is not a 40% discount. The discounts are sequential:

First markdown (30%): $1,200 - ($1,200 * 0.30) = $840.
Second markdown (10%): The 10% applies to the new price: $840 - ($840 * 0.10) = $756.

The final price is $756. A straight 40% discount would have been $720. It's a subtle but important difference!

Percentage vs. Fixed Amount: Which Coupon is Better?

Sometimes a deal is for a fixed amount, like "$20 off a purchase of $100 or more." This is often better for smaller purchases. On a $100 item, a "$20 off" coupon is the same as a 20% discount. But on a $500 item, a 20% discount saves you $100, making it the far better choice. Use our calculator to compare coupons and see which one saves you more money.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is sales tax calculated before or after the discount?

Sales tax is almost always calculated on the price *after* the discount has been applied. Our sale price calculator automatically does this for you.

How do I calculate a double discount (e.g., 20% off + an additional 10% off)?

You must apply the discounts sequentially. First, take 20% off the original price to get a new subtotal. Then, take 10% off that new subtotal. It is not the same as a 30% discount.

What's the difference between a markdown and a discount?

Functionally, they are very similar. A 'markdown' is the reduction in a product's price, while a 'discount' is the tool used to achieve that markdown (e.g., a 25% off coupon). For a shopper, the terms can often be used interchangeably.

How do you find the original price from the final price?

You can use the 'Find Original Price' mode on our calculator. The formula for this is: Original Price = Final Price / (1 - (Discount Percentage / 100)). This helps you verify if a sale is a good deal.

What is the fastest way to calculate 20% off in your head?

The fastest mental math trick is to find 10% first by moving the decimal point one place to the left, and then simply double that number. For a $90 item, 10% is $9, so 20% is $18.