Guide1 min readUpdated August 12, 2026
How to calculate a discount
Short answer
To find a sale price, multiply the original by the discount percent to get the amount off, then subtract: final = original − original × (percent ÷ 100). To find the percent off, divide the savings by the original: percent = (original − sale) ÷ original × 100.
From a percent off to a final price
A discount is a percentage of the original price. Turn the percentage into a fraction, multiply to get the amount taken off, then subtract it from the original.
amount off = original × (percent ÷ 100)
final price = original − amount off
Example: $80 at 25% off
amount off = 80 × 0.25 = $20
final price = 80 − 20 = $60From two prices to the percent off
If you know the original and the sale price, the discount percent is the savings divided by the original.
percent off = (original − sale) ÷ original × 100
Example: was $50, now $35
percent off = (50 − 35) ÷ 50 × 100 = 30%Quick steps
- Convert the percentDivide the discount percent by 100 to get a decimal (25% → 0.25).
- Find the amount offMultiply the original price by that decimal.
- SubtractTake the amount off away from the original to get the sale price.
Stacked discounts do not addAn extra 10% off an already 20%-off price is not 30% off. Apply them one after another: 0.8 × 0.9 = 0.72, so 28% off the original.
Try it: Discount CalculatorEnter a price and percent to get the sale price and savings instantly.Open tool