Work out your discount before you buy
During sales such as Black Friday or end-of-season clearances, stores are full of “30% off” and “extra 20% at checkout” signs. Knowing the exact final price helps you compare offers and buy smart. This tool calculates the sale price and savings instantly, with support for stacked discounts, tax and quantity.
How to calculate a discount
Basic formula: sale price = price × (1 − discount ÷ 100). Example: a $500 jacket at 30% off costs 500 × 0.7 = $350, saving $150.
Stacked discounts: a common trap
When a store offers “30% off + an extra 20% off”, many people assume 50% off. But the second discount applies to the already-reduced price:
- 500 × 0.70 = 350 after the first discount.
- 350 × 0.80 = 280 after the extra discount.
- Effective discount = (500 − 280) ÷ 500 = 44%, not 50%.
The calculator shows the effective discount automatically so the numbers can't fool you.
Finding the discount from two prices
If a product went from $899 to $649 without a stated percentage, open “I know the old and new price” and enter both to see it's about 27.8% off.
Smart shopping tips
- Compare the final price with other stores — some retailers inflate the “original” price before a sale.
- Include tax and shipping before comparing, especially online.
- “Buy 2, get 1 free” equals 33% off each item.
- For detailed tax calculations, use the VAT Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take 20% off a price?
Multiply the price by 0.8. For example 250 × 0.8 = 200, saving 50.
Is 50% off plus 50% off free?
No — you pay 25% of the original price, an effective 75% discount.
Is tax calculated before or after the discount?
In most places tax applies to the discounted price, which is what this calculator does.
How do I find the discount percentage from two prices?
Discount = (old − new) ÷ old × 100, or use the dedicated section in the tool.
Does it work with any currency?
Yes — it just works with numbers.
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