Discount calculator
Work out what you will pay in the sales, how much you save and the real discount when two offers are combined.
Discount calculator: what it is and how it works
Knowing how to work out a discount is useful in the sales, with special offers or when negotiating a price. The final price is the original price minus the discount percentage — in other words, the price multiplied by (1 − discount ÷ 100). So 20 % off means paying 80 % of the price.
Shops sometimes advertise stacked discounts, such as 20 % off plus an extra 10 % at the till. The second discount applies to the already reduced price, so the total discount is less than the sum of both. This calculator shows the final price, the money you save and the real discount percentage.
How to use it
- Enter the original price.
- Enter the discount percentage and, if there is one, a second discount.
- See the final price, your saving and the real total discount.
Final price = price × (1 − d₁ ÷ 100) × (1 − d₂ ÷ 100)Worked example
An €80 coat with 20 % off costs €64: you save €16. With an extra 10 % off that price you pay €57.60, a total discount of 28 %.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a discount?
Multiply the price by the percentage and divide by 100 to get the saving, then subtract it. Or multiply directly by 1 minus the discount as a decimal.
Is 20 % plus 10 % the same as 30 %?
No. The second discount applies to the reduced price, so the total is 28 %.
How do I find the original price from the sale price?
Divide the sale price by 1 minus the discount: if you paid €64 after 20 % off, the original was 64 ÷ 0.80 = €80.
Is the discount applied before or after VAT?
Consumer prices in Europe already include VAT, so the discount applies to the VAT-inclusive price.