The price
$
The discount
%
%
Sale price
| Original price | |
| Price after first discount | |
| Sale price | |
| You save | |
| Effective discount |
How to use this calculator
Enter the original price and the discount percentage. If a store offers an extra discount on top, such as 20% off already reduced items, enter it as the extra discount. The calculator applies it to the reduced price, which is how stacked discounts work at checkout.
How to calculate a discount
- Convert the discount to a decimal (e.g. 25% = 0.25)
- Subtract it from 1 (e.g. 1 − 0.25 = 0.75)
- Multiply the original price by that number (e.g. $80 × 0.75 = $60)
- You save $80 − $60 = $20
Why two discounts don't add up
A 25% discount followed by an extra 20% is not 45% off. The second discount applies to the already reduced price: $80 × 0.75 = $60, then $60 × 0.80 = $48. That is $32 off, an effective discount of 40%. To check whether a sale price was genuine, use the reverse percentage calculator to find the original price.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a percentage discount?
Multiply the original price by (1 − discount ÷ 100). An $80 item at 25% off costs $80 × 0.75 = $60.
What is 30% off $50?
30% off $50 is $35. You save $15.
Do stacked discounts add together?
No. Each extra discount applies to the already reduced price. 25% off followed by 20% off is a 40% discount in total, not 45%.
How do I find the original price from a sale price?
Divide the sale price by (1 − discount ÷ 100). A $60 item that is 25% off was originally $60 ÷ 0.75 = $80.