Everyone loves a good sale, but it's easy to get confused by "percent off" signs and complex promotions. Is that "70% off" deal really as good as it sounds? A discount calculator is the ultimate tool for any savvy shopper, allowing you to instantly find the final price and see your true savings.
This guide explains how to use a discount calculator effectively and reveals a few shopping secrets along the way.
Find the Final Price Now
Our world-class calculator lets you find the sale price *and* add sales tax to see the final, out-the-door cost. No surprises at the register.
Use the Discount Calculator →How a Percentage Discount is Calculated
The math for a simple percentage-off discount is straightforward. To find the amount you save, you convert the discount percentage to a decimal and multiply it by the original price.
Savings = Original Price × (Discount Percentage / 100)
The final sale price is then:
Sale Price = Original Price - Savings
Our calculator automates this so you never have to pull out your phone's calculator app in the middle of a store again.
Beyond Percentages: Calculating Other Types of Savings
Not all discounts come as a simple percentage. Understanding how to calculate savings from other types of promotions is key to being a truly savvy shopper:
- Dollar Amount Off: This is the simplest. If you have a "$10 off" coupon on a $50 item, your final price is $50 - $10 = $40.
- Buy One Get One (BOGO): These require a little math to find the effective discount.
- BOGO Free: If you buy 2 items and get 1 free, you pay for 1 and get 1 free. Assuming items are the same price, this is effectively a 50% discount on the two items. For example, two $10 items, you pay $10, total value $20. $10/$20 = 50% saved.
- BOGO 50% Off: You pay full price for the first item and half price for the second. On two $10 items, you pay $10 + $5 = $15. Total value $20. $5/$20 = 25% saved. The effective discount on the *total purchase* is usually 25%.
- Threshold Discounts: Offers like "Save $20 when you spend $100" mean you get a fixed dollar amount off once your cart reaches a certain value. These don't translate directly to a percentage off the *entire* cart unless you hit the threshold exactly, but you can use our calculator backward to see what percentage $20 is of your $100 purchase (20%).
Pro Tip: How to Handle "Stacked" Discounts Correctly
One of the most confusing scenarios is when a store offers an additional discount on an already reduced item (e.g., "Take an extra 20% off all sale items"). You **cannot** simply add the percentages together (e.g., a 50% off item with an extra 20% off is NOT 70% off). Doing so will result in calculating a lower price than you'll actually pay.
You must apply the discounts sequentially:
- Calculate the price after the first discount.
- Use that new price as the "original price" for the second discount.
For example, for a $100 item at 50% off with an extra 20% off:
- $100 - (50% of $100) = $50
- $50 - (20% of $50) = $40
The final price is $40. To find the *effective* total discount percentage: ($100 - $40) / $100 = $60/$100 = 60%. The effective discount for this stacked offer is 60%, not 70%. Our calculator helps you verify the results of these calculations quickly.
The Final Step: Don't Forget Sales Tax
The price on the tag is rarely the final price you pay. To find the true "out-the-door" cost, you must also account for sales tax, which is calculated on the **discounted sale price**, not the original price.
Our best-in-class Discount Calculator has a dedicated (but optional) field for sales tax, allowing you to see the complete picture in one simple calculation. This is crucial for budgeting your final spending.
Where to Find Discounts and Deals
Finding the best price isn't just about calculating the discount; it's also about knowing where to look for savings. Here are some common places to find deals:
- Retailer Websites & Apps: Sign up for newsletters, check their "Sale" or "Clearance" sections.
- Coupon Websites & Apps: Dedicated sites like RetailMeNot, Coupons.com, or apps often list current coupon codes.
- Browser Extensions: Tools like Honey or Rakuten (formerly Ebates) automatically find and apply coupon codes or offer cashback while you shop online.
- Email & SMS Sign-ups: Many stores offer a discount for joining their mailing list.
- Social Media: Follow brands on social media for special promotions.
- Loyalty Programs: Earn points or get exclusive discounts as a returning customer.
Using resources like these, combined with our calculator to verify the savings, makes you a truly empowered shopper!