Discount Calculator
Calculate sale prices, discounts, and savings with ease. Perfect for shopping, sales planning, or determining the final cost of discounted items.
How could this calculator be better?
We're always looking to improve our tools. Here are some ideas we're considering:
- Add option to calculate original price from sale price and discount
- Include tax calculation on the discounted price
- Add support for multiple items with different discounts
- Include common discount percentages as quick buttons
- Add comparison of prices across different stores
Email us at yoursmartcalculator@gmail.com with your suggestions!
Related Calculators
Quick Facts
- •A 50% discount means you pay half the original price
- •Many retailers mark up prices before applying discounts
- •"Buy one, get one free" is equivalent to a 50% discount when buying two items
- •Sales tax is typically applied after discounts are calculated
Understanding Discounts
How Discounts Work
A discount is a reduction in the original price of an item, typically expressed as a percentage. This calculator helps you determine the final price after a discount is applied, as well as how much money you'll save.
The calculator takes the original price and the discount percentage to calculate the discount amount and the final sale price. It also shows you how much you're saving both in dollars and as a percentage of the original price.
Understanding how discounts work can help you make better shopping decisions and ensure you're getting a good deal on your purchases.
Types of Discounts
There are several types of discounts you might encounter while shopping:
- Percentage discounts: A reduction by a certain percentage of the original price (e.g., 20% off)
- Fixed amount discounts: A specific dollar amount is subtracted from the original price (e.g., $10 off)
- Buy one, get one (BOGO): Purchase one item and receive another for free or at a reduced price
- Volume discounts: Reduced prices when buying in bulk (e.g., 10% off when you buy 3 or more)
- Seasonal discounts: Price reductions during specific times of the year (e.g., Black Friday sales)
Calculating Discount Savings
To calculate how much you save with a discount:
- Calculate the discount amount: Multiply the original price by the discount percentage (as a decimal)
- Calculate the final price: Subtract the discount amount from the original price
- Calculate the savings percentage: Divide the discount amount by the original price and multiply by 100
For example, if an item originally costs $100 and is discounted by 20%:
- Discount amount: $100 × 0.20 = $20
- Final price: $100 - $20 = $80
- Savings percentage: ($20 ÷ $100) × 100 = 20%
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate the original price if I only know the sale price and discount percentage?
To find the original price, divide the sale price by (1 - discount percentage as a decimal). For example, if an item costs $80 after a 20% discount, the original price would be $80 ÷ (1 - 0.2) = $80 ÷ 0.8 = $100.
Do stores calculate tax before or after applying discounts?
In most cases, sales tax is calculated after discounts are applied. This means you pay tax only on the final discounted price, not on the original price.
What does "up to 70% off" mean in sales advertisements?
When a sale advertises "up to 70% off," it means that some items are discounted by 70%, but many items will have smaller discounts. The highest discount percentage is highlighted in the advertisement to attract customers.
How do I calculate the discount when there are multiple discounts?
When multiple discounts are applied sequentially, each discount is calculated based on the price after the previous discount. For example, if an item costs $100 and receives a 20% discount followed by an additional 10% discount, the final price would be $100 × (1 - 0.2) × (1 - 0.1) = $100 × 0.8 × 0.9 = $72.
Is a bigger discount percentage always a better deal?
Not necessarily. A larger discount percentage on a higher original price might still result in a higher final price than a smaller discount on a lower original price. Always compare the final prices rather than just the discount percentages.