Discount Calculator
Find the sale price of any item after applying a discount. Enter the original price and discount percentage to see your savings and final price instantly.
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Formula
Sale Price = Original Price × (1 − Discount% ÷ 100)
Subtract the discount percentage from 100%, convert to a decimal, and multiply by the original price. Alternatively, calculate the discount amount (Price × Discount% / 100) and subtract from the original price.
How to use the Discount Calculator
- 1
Enter your original price
Value should be in $.
- 2
Enter your discount
Value should be in %.
- 3
Read your results instantly
Results update in real time as you type.
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How to evaluate if a sale is actually a deal
Retailers regularly mark prices up before marking them down, creating the illusion of a larger discount. Before purchasing, research the item's price history using tools like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) or Google Shopping price history.
A 50% off sale on an item that was recently double its normal price is no deal at all. Genuine discounts are off the lowest recent price, not an inflated MSRP.
Stacking discounts
When multiple discounts apply, they don't add — they compound. A 20% discount followed by an additional 10% off is not 30% off. It's: 100% × 0.80 × 0.90 = 72%, meaning 28% total off.
This matters when stores run 'additional X% off sale items' promotions. Calculate the final price step by step.
Tips & Insights
Know the true discount threshold
For a discount to be worth impulse-buying, the savings should exceed what you'd earn keeping that money invested. A 20% discount on a $50 item ($10 savings) is only meaningful if you'd actually use the item.
Worked Examples
Black Friday TV deal
Sale price: $519.35. You save $279.65. Verify this is 35% off the item's actual regular price, not a temporarily inflated MSRP.
Stacked discounts
After 25% off: $150. After additional 10% off $150: $135. Total savings: $65 (32.5% total off — not 35%).
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate a discount?
Multiply the original price by the discount percentage, then subtract from the original price. For example, 20% off $100 = $100 × 0.20 = $20 savings, so the sale price is $80.
How do I work backwards from a sale price?
If you know the sale price and discount rate, the original price = Sale Price ÷ (1 − Discount%). For example, if $80 is 20% off: $80 ÷ 0.80 = $100 original price.
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