Discount Calculator

Don't guess at the register. Calculate the final sale price and see your total savings in seconds.

Price Details

Optional: Extra coupon or promo code.

Final Price
$80.00
You Save $20.00
Tax Amount $0.00
Price Before Tax $80.00

Deal Analysis

You are getting a 20% discount off the original price.

How to Calculate Discounts

The Basic Formula

To find the sale price, multiply the original price by the discount rate (in decimal form) to find the savings, then subtract that from the original.

Stacked Discounts

If you have two discounts, they are usually applied sequentially. The second discount is taken off the already reduced price, not the original total.

Factoring in Tax

Sales tax is almost always calculated on the final discounted price, not the original sticker price. Our tool handles this automatically.

Smart Shopping Tips

Understanding how discounts work can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Retailers often use "psychological pricing" where a 50% discount on a marked-up item might be more expensive than a 10% discount on a fairly priced item. Always use a Discount Calculator to verify the actual value you are receiving.

The "Sequential Discount" Trap

Be careful when a store says "Take an extra 20% off already reduced items (30% off)". This is not a 50% discount. It is a 44% total discount because the second 20% is only applied to the remaining 70% of the price.

Quick Mental Math Trick

To quickly find 20% off in your head, find 10% (move the decimal point one spot to the left) and then double that number. Subtract that from the total to get your sale price.

Discount FAQ

1. How do you calculate a 20% discount?
Multiply the original price by 0.20 to find the discount amount, then subtract that from the original price.
2. What does "sequential discount" mean?
It means applying a second discount to the price that has already been reduced by the first discount.
3. Is tax calculated before or after the discount?
In most regions, sales tax is calculated on the net price (the price after all discounts have been applied).
4. How do I find the original price if I only know the sale price?
Divide the sale price by (1 minus the discount rate). For example, if a $80 item is 20% off, do 80 / 0.8 = $100.
5. What is the formula for percentage off?
Formula: Sale Price = Original Price × (1 - Discount%).
6. Does a 50% + 50% discount mean the item is free?
No. Usually, the first 50% is applied, then the second 50% is applied to the remaining half, resulting in a total discount of 75%.
7. What is a "markup" vs a discount?
A markup is an amount added to the cost price of goods to cover overheads and profit, while a discount is a reduction from the set price.
8. Why use a calculator instead of doing it manually?
A calculator ensures accuracy, especially when dealing with decimals, sales tax, and multiple stacked discounts simultaneously.