Learn How To Calculate Discounts, Tips & Taxes- Or Just Plug In The Info For A Quick Answer
Use our free discount calculator to instantly calculate sale prices and savings. Then try our tip calculator to split bills, or the tax + discount calculator to add local US sales tax to your discounted price.
You pay
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Fill in both boxes to see your savings.
🔎 Find the percentage off from a price
Already know the original price and what you paid (or the sale tag price)? Work the math backwards: enter both prices and this calculator tells you the exact percentage off — perfect for checking whether that "was/now" tag is really a good deal.
Percentage off
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Enter the original price and the price you paid to see the percentage off.
🧮 How to calculate a discount
A discount is a percentage taken off an item's original price. To calculate the sale price by hand, multiply the original price by the discount percentage (as a decimal), then subtract that amount from the original price. Our discount calculator does this instantly and shows both your savings and the final price you pay.
The discount formula
Sale Price = Original Price − (Original Price × Discount % ÷ 100)
For example, a $60 shirt at 25% off: $60 × 0.25 = $15 saved, so the sale price is $60 − $15 = $45.
Worked example: 40% off
A $120 jacket marked 40% off: $120 × 0.40 = $48 saved. The final sale price is $120 − $48 = $72. You can verify any deal the same way before you reach the checkout.
🎉 Common types of discounts
Percentage-off sales
The most common discount type — "20% off", "50% off clearance", "70% off everything". Enter the sticker percentage and our calculator returns the sale price instantly.
Buy one, get one (BOGO)
BOGO deals effectively give you 50% off each item when you buy two. A "buy one, get one 50% off" deal equals 25% off across both items — useful to know when comparing offers.
Coupon and promo codes
Online coupon codes apply a percentage or fixed-dollar discount at checkout. Stack a coupon on top of a sale price by calculating the sale first, then applying the coupon to that subtotal.
Clearance and flash sales
Clearance markdowns can run 70–90% off as retailers clear inventory. Flash sales are short, deep discounts — calculate quickly so you can decide before the timer runs out.
📊 Quick discount reference table
Use this quick reference to see exactly how much you save and pay at common discount levels. The table shows the sale price for a $100 item at each percentage — adjust the calculator above for any other original price.
| Discount | You save | Sale price | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% off | $10.00 | $90.00 | Small promo, member discount |
| 15% off | $15.00 | $85.00 | Newsletter sign-up offer |
| 20% off | $20.00 | $80.00 | Standard seasonal sale |
| 25% off | $25.00 | $75.00 | Mid-season markdown |
| 30% off | $30.00 | $70.00 | End-of-season clearance |
| 40% off | $40.00 | $60.00 | Deep clearance event |
| 50% off | $50.00 | $50.00 | Half-price, BOGO equivalent |
| 70% off | $70.00 | $30.00 | Liquidation, final sale |
⚖️ Discount vs coupon vs rebate
Shoppers often confuse three different ways to pay less. Knowing the difference helps you compare offers and spot the best real deal.
Discount
A percentage or dollar amount taken off at the point of sale. You see the lower price immediately on your receipt. Example: "25% off at checkout."
Coupon
A code or paper voucher you present to reduce the price. Coupons may be manufacturer-issued (taxed on pre-coupon price) or store-issued (taxed on post-coupon price).
Rebate
You pay full price up front, then submit a claim to get money back later. Rebates take time and effort, and many go unclaimed — factor that in when comparing deals.
❓ Discount calculator FAQ
How do I calculate a discount percentage?
Multiply the original price by the discount percentage as a decimal (e.g. 25% = 0.25), then subtract that result from the original price. The discount calculator above handles this for any price and percentage instantly.
What is the difference between original price and sale price?
The original price is the full, undiscounted cost of an item. The sale price is what you actually pay after the discount is applied. The difference between the two is your savings.
Does sales tax apply before or after the discount?
Sales tax is calculated on the discounted price, not the original price. Our tax + discount calculator applies the discount first, then adds local sales tax — exactly how a real register works.
Can I stack multiple discounts?
When stores allow stacking, discounts apply sequentially, not additively. A 20% off sale plus a 10% off coupon means: take 20% off first, then 10% off that reduced price — not 30% off the original.
Is this discount calculator free to use?
Yes. The discount calculator is completely free, works on any device, and does not require a sign-up. Your calculations happen instantly in your browser.
How do I find the percentage off from a price?
If you know the original price and the price you paid, subtract the paid price from the original to get your savings, then divide by the original price and multiply by 100. For an $80 item you paid $60 for: ($80 − $60) ÷ $80 × 100 = 25% off. Use the "Find the percentage off from a price" calculator above to do it instantly.
How do I find the original price from a sale price?
To reverse-engineer the original price, divide the sale price by (1 − discount decimal). For example, if you paid $60 at 25% off, the original price was $60 ÷ 0.75 = $80. This is useful for comparing "was/now" price tags.
What is a good discount percentage?
For everyday retail, 20–30% off is a solid deal. Seasonal clearance often reaches 40–50%, while liquidation and final sales can hit 70% off or more. Anything above 50% on in-demand items is usually exceptional.
Does a bigger discount always mean a better deal?
Not necessarily. A 70% off item that started overpriced may still cost more than a 20% off item that was fairly priced to begin with. Always compare the final sale price, not just the percentage, and check the original price is genuine.
How do I calculate a fixed-dollar discount?
For a fixed amount like "$10 off", simply subtract the dollar value from the original price. To express it as a percentage, divide the discount by the original price and multiply by 100 — a $10 discount on a $40 item is 25% off.