Discount Calculator

How to Use the Discount Calculator

Enter the original price and discount percentage, then click Calculate. Use the quick preset buttons for common discount amounts like 10%, 20%, or 50% off. The result shows both how much you save and the final price you'll pay.

The Discount Formula

The sale price is the original multiplied by what remains after the cut: sale price = original × (1 − discount% ÷ 100). A $120 jacket at 30% off is 120 × (1 − 0.30) = 120 × 0.70 = $84, and the amount saved is 120 × 0.30 = $36. To reverse it and recover the original from a known sale price, divide instead: original = sale price ÷ (1 − discount% ÷ 100), so $84 ÷ 0.70 = $120.

Stacked Discounts and Sales Tax

Multiple discounts are multiplicative, not additive. Applying a 20% coupon on top of a 30% sale gives 0.80 × 0.70 = 0.56, meaning you pay 56% of the original — a 44% total discount, not 50%. Sales tax, by contrast, is applied after all discounts, so the order is: reduce the price, then add tax. Knowing this prevents the common mistake of adding discount percentages together and overestimating your savings.

Shopping Tips

When comparing deals, always calculate the final price rather than just looking at the discount percentage. A 30% discount on a $100 item ($70 final) might be a worse deal than a 20% discount on an $80 item ($64 final) for the same product. Watch for "up to X% off" wording, which applies only to select items, and check whether a percentage or a fixed-dollar coupon saves more on your particular basket. This calculator makes these comparisons instant.