How to Calculate a Discount and the Final Sale Price

Work out percentage discounts, stacked promotions and tax without confusing savings with the amount you actually pay.

Calculate one discount

Multiply the original price by the discount rate to find the savings; subtract that amount from the original price. For a $80 item at 25% off, the savings are $20 and the sale price is $60. Enter the original price and rate in the Percentage Calculator to check your arithmetic.

Compare two offers

A $15 coupon on an $80 item makes the price $65, so 25% off ($60) is better before other conditions. Compare final prices rather than the largest-looking number. Check coupon minimums, exclusions and shipping before deciding.

Handle stacked discounts in order

Two 10% reductions are not 20% off: $100 becomes $90, then $81. The second reduction applies to the already discounted price. For a fixed coupon and a percentage code, the order may change the outcome; use the checkout rules and calculate each step separately.

Add tax and fees afterward

If a $60 sale price is subject to 8% sales tax, tax adds $4.80 and the total becomes $64.80, before shipping. Tax rules vary by location and product; do not assume the advertised price includes tax. Keep delivery and service fees visible when comparing stores.

Avoid common mistakes

Do not subtract the percentage itself from the price, add percentages across sequential discounts, or round each intermediate step too early. Use the store’s rounding convention for the final payment. The number you save and the number you pay answer different questions.