Discount Calculator
Calculate sale prices and savings with our free online discount calculator. Stack multiple coupons, apply percentage or fixed discounts, add tax and tip, and see exactly what you'll pay. Perfect for shopping, comparing deals, and maximizing coupon savings.
How to Use the Discount Calculator
Enter Original Price
Input the original price of the item before any discounts. This is typically the MSRP or listed price tag.
Add Discounts
Add one or more discounts. Choose percentage (%) or fixed amount ($) for each discount. Add descriptions to track different coupons or sales.
Stack Multiple Discounts
Apply multiple discounts sequentially. The calculator processes them in order: first discount on original price, second on discounted price, etc.
Add Tax (Optional)
Enable tax calculation if needed. Enter your local sales tax rate percentage. Tax is calculated on the final discounted price.
Add Tip (Optional)
For restaurant bills or services, enable tip calculation. Tip is calculated on the discounted price before tax.
Calculate Final Price
Click 'Calculate Discount' to see your final price, total savings, and step-by-step breakdown of all calculations.
Export Results
Copy results to clipboard, or download as CSV/JSON for record-keeping or comparison shopping.
Understanding Discounts
Sequential Discounts
Multiple discounts apply one after another, not additively. A 20% discount followed by 10% off results in 28% total savings, not 30%.
Effective Discount Rate
The total percentage saved after all discounts are applied. This is the single percentage that would produce the same final price.
Tax Base
Sales tax is calculated on the price after discounts, not the original price. This means discounts reduce your tax burden.
Coupon Stacking
Combining multiple discounts to maximize savings. Strategy matters: apply percentage discounts before fixed amounts for best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate percentage off?▼
To calculate a percentage discount: multiply the original price by the discount percentage (as a decimal), then subtract from the original price. For example, 20% off $100 = $100 - ($100 × 0.20) = $80.
Can I stack multiple discounts?▼
Yes! This calculator applies discounts sequentially. For example, if you have a 20% discount followed by a $10 coupon, it first applies 20% off, then subtracts $10 from the discounted price. The order matters when stacking discounts.
What is the difference between percentage and fixed discounts?▼
Percentage discounts (like 20% off) reduce the price by a proportion of the original amount. Fixed discounts (like $10 off) subtract a specific dollar amount. Percentage discounts are better for expensive items, while fixed discounts are better for cheaper items.
Should tax be calculated before or after the discount?▼
Tax is typically calculated on the final sale price after all discounts have been applied. This calculator follows that standard practice, applying discounts first, then adding tax to the discounted amount.
How do I calculate what percentage a discount is?▼
Divide the discount amount by the original price, then multiply by 100. For example, if an item goes from $100 to $75, the discount is $25. ($25 ÷ $100) × 100 = 25% off.
What is the best way to combine coupons?▼
Apply percentage-based coupons first, then fixed-amount coupons. This maximizes your savings since the fixed amount is subtracted after the percentage reduction. Some stores may limit how many coupons can be combined.
How do clearance discounts work?▼
Clearance items often have multiple sequential discounts applied. For example, an item marked 30% off may have an additional 20% taken at checkout. These stack multiplicatively (not additively), so the total discount is less than 50%.
Can I calculate the original price from a sale price?▼
Yes. Divide the sale price by (1 - discount percentage as decimal). For example, if an item is $80 after a 20% discount: $80 ÷ (1 - 0.20) = $80 ÷ 0.80 = $100 original price.