Discount formulas
Price after a discount
Final price = Price − Saving
Example: a 220 shirt at 30% off: saving = 66, final price = 154.
Discount percentage between two prices
Example: a price cut from 400 to 260: ((400 − 260) ÷ 400) × 100 = 35%.
Stacked discounts do not add up
The most common shopping mistake: 20% off followed by a further 10% off is not 30% off. The second discount applies to the already-reduced price:
The real discount is 28%, not 30%. The correct formula is:
| Two discounts | If added (wrong) | Actual discount |
|---|---|---|
| 20% + 10% | 30% | 28% |
| 50% + 20% | 70% | 60% |
| 30% + 30% | 60% | 51% |
| 70% + 20% | 90% | 76% |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a sale price?
Multiply the price by the discount divided by 100 to get the saving, then subtract it from the original price. 30% off 220 gives a saving of 66 and a final price of 154.
Is 20% off then 10% off the same as 30% off?
No. The second discount applies to the already-reduced price, so the effective discount is only 28%. Use the stacked discounts tab to see the real figure.
How do I find the discount percentage from two prices?
Subtract the sale price from the original, divide by the original, then multiply by 100.
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