Discount Calculator
Quick Answer
Sale Price = Original Price × (1 - Discount% / 100). Example: $80 with 25% off = $80 × 0.75 = $60 (you save $20).
How to Calculate Discounts
A discount reduces the original price of an item by a certain percentage. Discounts are everywhere -- retail sales, coupon codes, Black Friday deals, employee discounts, student discounts, and senior discounts. Understanding how to quickly calculate discount amounts helps you make better purchasing decisions and compare deals effectively.
The Discount Formula
Discount Amount = Original Price × (Discount % / 100)
Sale Price = Original Price - Discount Amount
Or combined: Sale Price = Original Price × (1 - Discount % / 100)
Double Discount (Stacking Discounts)
When two discounts are applied sequentially (e.g., 20% off + extra 10% off), they do not simply add up to 30%. Instead, the second discount applies to the already-reduced price. For a $100 item: First 20% off = $80, then 10% off $80 = $72. The effective total discount is 28%, not 30%.
Finding the Original Price
If you know the sale price and discount percentage, you can find the original price: Original = Sale Price / (1 - Discount%/100). For example, if something costs $63 after a 30% discount: $63 / 0.70 = $90 original price.
Comparing Discounts
A higher discount percentage does not always mean a better deal. Compare the final prices: 40% off a $50 item ($30) is more expensive than 25% off a $35 item ($26.25). Always calculate the actual sale price, not just the discount percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate a discount?
Multiply the price by the discount percentage and divide by 100. Subtract from the original. $80 at 25% off = $80 × 25/100 = $20 off = $60 sale price.
How do I find the original price before a discount?
Divide the sale price by (1 - discount/100). If $60 is 25% off: $60 / 0.75 = $80 original.
Do discounts stack?
Sequential discounts do not add. 20% + 10% off is NOT 30% off. Apply each discount to the running total. Effective discount for 20% then 10% = 28%.
What is the difference between discount and markup?
Discount reduces selling price. Markup increases cost price to set selling price. They are inverse operations.
How do I calculate discount percentage from two prices?
((Original - Sale) / Original) × 100. From $120 to $90 = ((120-90)/120) × 100 = 25%.