Personal Finance
Discount Calculator
30% off sounds great, until you do the math. See the final price, the savings, and what stacked discounts really add up to.
A discount reduces the original price by a percentage. Final price = original × (1 − discount% ÷ 100). A 25% discount on $80 costs $60. Comparing final prices, not discount sizes, reveals the better deal. Figures are estimates before taxes and fees — verify details with a licensed advisor where needed.
Final = original × (1 − d%).
Compare final prices, not percentages.
Stacked % discounts don't add, they multiply.
Calculate Your Discount
Final Price
What Is Discount?
Discounts come as percentages off a list price, and sometimes stacked, where each new discount applies to the already-reduced price.
The effective discount is what matters: two stacked 20% discounts yield 36%, not 40%. Always compare final prices across offers.
How It Is Calculated
Final = original × (1 − d1/100) × (1 − d2/100)
Example: Example: $80 at 25% off → $60; with an extra 10% off → $54 (32.5% effective)
Quick mental math
| Discount | $100 item |
|---|---|
| 10% | $90 |
| 25% | $75 |
| 50% | $50 |
| 70% | $30 |
Limitations
- Watch for 'discount off an inflated list price', anchor the comparison on real market prices.
- Some jurisdictions cap or regulate discount advertising.
Sources & Review
References used for this calculator’s formulas and thresholds:
Discount FAQ
How do I calculate a percentage discount?
Multiply the price by (1 − %/100): $80 × 0.75 = $60 at 25% off.
How do stacked discounts work?
Each applies to the already-discounted price: 20% + 20% = 36% total, not 40%.
How do I find the original price from a sale price?
Divide: sale ÷ (1 − %/100). $60 at 25% off implies an $80 original.
Is '50% off, extra 20%' worth it?
It equals 60% off the original, 50 + (50% of remaining 50%) = 60. Good, but not 70%.
Important disclaimer: Results are educational estimates, not a substitute for professional advice. Review your numbers with a qualified advisor before acting on them.