Store signs say “25% off”, “take an extra 10%” or “buy now, save 30%”, but the number that matters is what you'll actually pay at the register. This percent off calculator applies one or two discounts in the order stores use, adds sales tax if you want it, and shows the final price, how much you save and the true combined discount.
How to use the percent off calculator
- Enter the original price shown on the tag.
- Enter the discount as a percentage.
- Add an extra discount if there's a second promotion on top of the sale price.
- Add your sales tax rate to see the out-the-door price.
Percent off formula
You save = price − sale price
Total discount = you save ÷ price × 100
You pay = sale price × (1 + tax ÷ 100)
Worked example: stacked discounts
A jacket costs $80. It's 25% off, there's an extra 10% off sale items, and sales tax is 8%.
- After 25% off: 80 × 0.75 = $60.00
- After the extra 10%: 60 × 0.90 = $54.00
- Saved: 80 − 54 = $26.00, a total discount of 32.5%
- Tax: 54 × 0.08 = $4.32, so you pay $58.32
Common discounts at a glance
| Price | 10% off | 20% off | 25% off | 30% off | 40% off | 50% off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $18.00 | $16.00 | $15.00 | $14.00 | $12.00 | $10.00 |
| $50 | $45.00 | $40.00 | $37.50 | $35.00 | $30.00 | $25.00 |
| $80 | $72.00 | $64.00 | $60.00 | $56.00 | $48.00 | $40.00 |
| $100 | $90.00 | $80.00 | $75.00 | $70.00 | $60.00 | $50.00 |
| $250 | $225.00 | $200.00 | $187.50 | $175.00 | $150.00 | $125.00 |
Quick mental math
- 10% off: move the decimal one place left and subtract — 10% of $47 is $4.70.
- 20% off: double the 10% figure.
- 25% off: take a quarter off — divide by 4 and subtract.
- Stacked discounts are always worth less than adding the percentages together.
Is the sale really a bargain?
A big percentage off doesn't always mean a low price. Some items are marked up before a sale, and “compare at” prices may not reflect what anyone actually paid. Before buying, check the price at another store or online, and look at the price history if the retailer shows it. For groceries and household items, compare the price per ounce or per unit — a larger discount on a smaller package can still cost more per use. And remember the cheapest discount is the purchase you didn't need to make: a 40% saving on something you won't use is a 60% loss.
Finding the discount percentage
If you know the original and sale prices but not the discount, subtract to find the savings and divide by the original price. A $120 coat on sale for $84 has a $36 saving; 36 ÷ 120 = 0.30, so it's 30% off.
Comparing package sizes instead of discounts? The Unit Price Calculator finds the better deal per ounce or per item.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a percent off?
Multiply the price by the discount as a decimal to get the savings, then subtract. 25% off $80: 80 × 0.25 = $20 saved, so the sale price is $60. Or multiply by (1 − 0.25) directly: 80 × 0.75 = $60.
Is 25% off plus an extra 10% off the same as 35% off?
No. The extra 10% applies to the already-reduced price. $80 at 25% off is $60; another 10% off is $54. That's a 32.5% total discount, not 35%.
Is sales tax charged on the original or sale price?
Generally on the price you actually pay after store discounts. Manufacturer coupons can be treated differently in some states, so check your state's rules.
How do I find the original price from a sale price?
Divide the sale price by (1 − discount). A $60 item marked 25% off was 60 ÷ 0.75 = $80 originally.
What is 20% off $50?
$10 off, so the sale price is $40.