Discount Calculator
Find the sale price after a discount, or work backwards from a sale price.
Original Price & Discount → Sale Price
You Save
Sale Price
Sale Price & Discount → Original Price
Original Price
You Saved
How Discount Calculations Work
To find the sale price, multiply the original price by (1 − discount/100). A $120 item at 30% off: $120 × 0.70 = $84. You save $36.
To find the original price from a sale price, divide the sale price by (1 − discount/100). If a sale price is $84 after a 30% discount: $84 ÷ 0.70 = $120 original. This is useful when a tag shows only the discounted price and you want to verify the real savings.
Common Discount Examples
| Original Price | Discount | You Save | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50.00 | 10% off | $5.00 | $45.00 |
| $80.00 | 25% off | $20.00 | $60.00 |
| $150.00 | 30% off | $45.00 | $105.00 |
| $200.00 | 40% off | $80.00 | $120.00 |
| $99.99 | 50% off | $50.00 | $49.99 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “percentage off” mean?
A percentage off means a portion of the original price is subtracted. 20% off a $50 item means you subtract $10 (20% of $50), paying $40. The discount percentage tells you what fraction of the price you don’t have to pay.
How do I calculate a 20% discount in my head?
Move the decimal one place left to get 10%, then double it for 20%. On a $45 item: $4.50 × 2 = $9 discount, so you pay $36. For 25%, take 10% + 10% + 5% (half of 10%).
Are multiple discounts additive or compounding?
Multiple discounts are typically compounding, not additive. A 20% off coupon applied to a 30%-off sale doesn’t give you 50% off — it gives you 44% off. The second discount applies to the already-reduced price: $100 → $70 → $56.
How do I find the original price if I only know the sale price?
Use the “Sale Price → Original” tab above. If an item is marked $63 and was 30% off, the original price was $63 ÷ 0.70 = $90. The formula is: Original = Sale Price ÷ (1 − Discount%).
What’s the difference between a discount and a rebate?
A discount reduces the price at the point of sale — you pay less immediately. A rebate is a partial refund after purchase, requiring you to submit a claim. Both reduce your net cost, but discounts are immediate while rebates require follow-up and may have conditions.