Discount Calculator
Calculate the sale price, savings amount, and final cost after discount and tax instantly.
Reference table
| Original Price | Sale Price | You Save | Final Price (with Tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.80 | $0.20 (20% off) | $0.80 |
| 2 | $1.60 | $0.40 (20% off) | $1.60 |
| 3 | $2.40 | $0.60 (20% off) | $2.40 |
| 4 | $3.20 | $0.80 (20% off) | $3.20 |
| 5 | $4.00 | $1.00 (20% off) | $4.00 |
| 10 | $8.00 | $2.00 (20% off) | $8.00 |
| 15 | $12.00 | $3.00 (20% off) | $12.00 |
| 20 | $16.00 | $4.00 (20% off) | $16.00 |
| 25 | $20.00 | $5.00 (20% off) | $20.00 |
| 30 | $24.00 | $6.00 (20% off) | $24.00 |
| 40 | $32.00 | $8.00 (20% off) | $32.00 |
| 50 | $40.00 | $10.00 (20% off) | $40.00 |
| 60 | $48.00 | $12.00 (20% off) | $48.00 |
| 70 | $56.00 | $14.00 (20% off) | $56.00 |
| 75 | $60.00 | $15.00 (20% off) | $60.00 |
Shopping Tips
- Stack coupons when allowed — apply the bigger discount first for maximum savings
- Compare unit prices, not just sale prices, to find the true best deal
- A 50% discount followed by an additional 20% off is NOT 70% off — it's 60% off total
- Always check if the discount is applied before or after tax — it can change your total
What Is a Discount?
How to Calculate a Discount
Things to Watch For
- Stacking discounts: Two 25% discounts ≠50% off. First 25% off $100 = $75, then 25% off $75 = $56.25 (43.75% total)
- Original price inflated: Some stores raise prices before a 'sale' — check price history on tools like CamelCamelCamel
- Minimum purchases: Many coupons require a minimum spend — make sure you're not buying extra just to use the coupon
- Clearance math: 70% off means you pay 30% of the original — a $200 item costs just $60
- Buy one get one 50% off: This is effectively 25% off total when buying two identical items
- Tax varies by location: US sales tax ranges from 0% (Oregon) to over 10% (parts of Louisiana, Tennessee)
Types of Discounts
- Percentage off: The most common type — a fixed percentage reduction from the original price (e.g., 20% off)
- Dollar amount off: A fixed dollar savings regardless of price (e.g., $10 off any purchase over $50)
- BOGO (Buy One Get One): Get a free or discounted additional item with a purchase
- Tiered discounts: Bigger savings at higher quantities (e.g., 10% off 1, 15% off 2, 20% off 3+)
- Cashback: A percentage of your purchase returned to you after buying, often via credit card or app
- Seasonal/Clearance: Deep discounts to clear old inventory, often 50-75% off during end-of-season sales
Discount Examples
Common discount scenarios step by step
30% Off a $150 Pair of Shoes
- Savings = $150 × 30/100 = $45
- Sale price = $150 - $45 = $105
You pay $105, saving $45
$80 Item at 40% Off + 8% Tax
- Savings = $80 × 40/100 = $32
- Sale price = $80 - $32 = $48
- Tax = $48 × 8/100 = $3.84
- Final = $48 + $3.84 = $51.84
Final price $51.84 (saved $32)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate a percentage discount?
Multiply the original price by the discount percentage divided by 100. Then subtract that from the original price. Example: 25% off $80 = $80 × 0.25 = $20 savings, so you pay $60.
Is tax calculated before or after the discount?
In most US states and countries, sales tax is calculated on the discounted price (after the discount is applied), not the original price. This means you pay less tax on discounted items.
How do I calculate the original price from a sale price?
Divide the sale price by (1 - discount/100). For example, if something costs $60 after a 25% discount: $60 / (1 - 0.25) = $60 / 0.75 = $80 original price.
How do stacking discounts work?
Stacking means applying multiple discounts sequentially. A 20% off + 10% off doesn't equal 30% off. Instead: first apply 20% (pay 80%), then 10% off the new price (pay 72%). Total discount is 28%, not 30%.
What does 'up to X% off' mean?
It means the maximum discount available is X%, but most items may have smaller discounts. Typically only a few items reach the advertised maximum percentage off.
Is a bigger percentage off always a better deal?
Not necessarily. A higher-priced item at 20% off might save you more dollars than a cheaper item at 40% off. Always compare the actual dollar savings and final prices between options.