Discount Calculator

Calculating a discount is straightforward: multiply the original price by the discount percentage, then subtract from the original price.

Formula: Sale Price = Original Price × (1 - Discount% / 100)

For example, a $80 item at 25% off: $80 × 0.75 = $60. You save $20.

If sales tax applies, it's calculated on the discounted price, not the original. So if tax is 8%: $60 × 1.08 = $64.80.

When multiple discounts apply (like 20% off + an extra 10% off), they don't simply add up to 30%. Instead, each discount applies to the already-reduced price:

• $100 at 20% off = $80
• $80 at an extra 10% off = $72

The combined effect is 28% off, not 30%. This is why retailers can advertise "extra" discounts that sound better than they are.

Not all discounts represent genuine savings. Here are some tips:

• Compare per-unit prices: A "buy 2 get 1 free" deal is effectively 33% off, which may or may not beat a flat 25% discount depending on how many you need.
• Check price history: Some retailers inflate prices before sales to make discounts look larger.
• Consider the cost per use: A $200 jacket at 50% off ($100) that you wear 100 times costs $1/wear — better value than a $20 shirt worn twice ($10/wear).
• Don't buy just because it's on sale: A 50% discount on something you don't need still costs money.