Discount Calculator
Calculate sale prices, stack multiple discounts, or find what percentage discount was applied
Calculate Sale Price
Your Savings
Original Price
$100.00
You Save (25% off)
- $25.00
Sale Price
$75.00
Quick Reference: Common Discounts
| Discount | $50 Item | $100 Item | $200 Item | $500 Item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% OFF | $45.00 | $90.00 | $180.00 | $450.00 |
| 15% OFF | $42.50 | $85.00 | $170.00 | $425.00 |
| 20% OFF | $40.00 | $80.00 | $160.00 | $400.00 |
| 25% OFF | $37.50 | $75.00 | $150.00 | $375.00 |
| 30% OFF | $35.00 | $70.00 | $140.00 | $350.00 |
| 40% OFF | $30.00 | $60.00 | $120.00 | $300.00 |
| 50% OFF | $25.00 | $50.00 | $100.00 | $250.00 |
| 75% OFF | $12.50 | $25.00 | $50.00 | $125.00 |
How to Calculate Discounts
Calculating a discount is straightforward: multiply the original price by the discount percentage (as a decimal) to find your savings, then subtract from the original price to get the sale price.
Discount Formula
Savings = Original Price × (Discount % ÷ 100)
Sale Price = Original Price - Savings
Find Discount % Formula
Discount % = ((Original - Sale) ÷ Original) × 100
Understanding Stacked Discounts
When multiple discounts are applied one after another (stacked), they don't simply add up. Each discount is applied to the already-reduced price, resulting in a smaller total discount than you might expect.
Example: 20% off + 10% off ≠ 30% off
Starting price: $100
After 20% off: $100 × 0.80 = $80
After additional 10% off: $80 × 0.90 = $72
Total discount: $100 - $72 = $28 = 28% off (not 30%)
The order of stacked discounts doesn't matter - 20% then 10% gives the same result as 10% then 20%. The mathematical formula is: Final Price = Original × (1 - d₁) × (1 - d₂) × ...
Types of Retail Discounts
Percentage Off
The most common type. A percentage of the original price is deducted. Example: 25% off a $80 item = $20 savings.
Fixed Amount Off
A specific dollar amount is deducted regardless of price. Example: $10 off any purchase over $50.
Buy One Get One (BOGO)
Buy one item, get another free or at a discount. BOGO free = 50% off when buying two identical items.
Bundle Discount
Buy multiple items together for a reduced total price. Often better value than individual discounts.
Tiered Discount
Larger discount for spending more. Example: 10% off $50+, 15% off $100+, 20% off $200+.
Clearance/Markdown
Permanent price reduction, often 50-75% off. Used to clear seasonal or discontinued items.
Smart Shopping Tips
Compare unit prices: A 20% discount on a large size isn't always better than the regular price of a smaller size. Calculate price per unit to compare fairly.
Watch for inflated "original" prices: Some retailers raise prices before sales to make discounts look bigger. Compare to prices at other stores or price history.
Stack strategically: When given a choice, apply the largest percentage discount first, then fixed-amount coupons. This usually gives the best final price.
Consider the true cost: A $100 item at 40% off costs $60. But if you didn't need it, you didn't save $40 - you spent $60.
Factor in shipping: Free shipping thresholds can make a sale worthwhile or not. Calculate total cost including delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate 20% off?
Multiply the price by 0.20 to find your savings, then subtract from the original. Quick shortcut: Move the decimal one place left (÷10) then double it. For $50: $5 × 2 = $10 savings, so sale price is $40.
Is 50% off the same as half price?
Yes! 50% off means you pay half the original price. To calculate, simply divide the original price by 2. A $80 item at 50% off = $40.
Which is better: $10 off or 15% off?
It depends on the original price. For a $50 item: $10 off = 20% savings (better). For a $100 item: 15% off = $15 savings (better). The breakeven is $66.67.
Do stacked discounts add together?
No, they multiply. 20% + 10% stacked = 28% total (not 30%). Each discount applies to the reduced price, not the original. Use our stacked discount calculator to see the exact savings.
Discount Math Shortcuts
Easy Percentages
- 10% off: Move decimal left one place
- 20% off: Find 10%, then double it
- 25% off: Divide by 4
- 50% off: Divide by 2
- 75% off: Find 25%, multiply by 3
What You Pay (Multipliers)
- 10% off: Pay 90% (× 0.90)
- 20% off: Pay 80% (× 0.80)
- 25% off: Pay 75% (× 0.75)
- 33% off: Pay 67% (× 0.67)
- 50% off: Pay 50% (× 0.50)