Discount Calculator

Discount Calculator: How to Calculate Percent Off (2026 Guide)

Whether you're shopping during Black Friday, using coupon codes online, or comparing sale prices at the store, knowing exactly how much you'll save—and what you'll actually pay—is crucial for smart shopping. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about calculating discounts accurately in 2026, so you never overpay or get confused by misleading sale signs.

The Discount Formula

Calculating a discount is straightforward once you understand the basic formula. For percentage-based discounts (the most common type), here's how it works:

For example, if a $100 jacket is on sale for 30% off:

• Discount Amount = $100 × (30 ÷ 100) = $100 × 0.30 = $30
• Final Price = $100 - $30 = $70

Our calculator does this math instantly, whether you're dealing with percentage discounts or fixed dollar amounts.

Types of Discounts

Retailers use two main types of discounts, and knowing the difference helps you identify the better deal:

• Percentage Off (%): The most common sale format, where the discount scales with the price. A 20% discount on a $50 item saves you $10, but 20% off a $200 item saves you $40. Percentage discounts are generally better for expensive purchases because your savings grow proportionally with the price.
• Fixed Amount Off ($): A flat dollar reduction regardless of the original price (e.g., "$15 off any purchase"). These can be great value on cheaper items but may represent a smaller percentage of savings on expensive items. For example, $15 off a $30 item is a 50% discount, but $15 off a $300 item is only 5% off.

Use our calculator to compare both types and see which gives you the better final price!

Smart Shopping Tips: Stacking Discounts

Want to maximize your savings? Here are pro tips for getting the best deals in 2026:

• Stack Coupons When Allowed: Some retailers let you combine a store-wide sale with a coupon code. For instance, 20% off storewide + an additional $10 coupon. Calculate each discount separately: apply the percentage first, then subtract the fixed amount.
• Black Friday & Cyber Monday Double Discounts: Watch for "extra % off sale items" promotions. If an item is already marked down from $100 to $70 (30% off), and there's an additional 20% off sale items, you pay 20% off $70 = $56, not $80. Always calculate from the discounted price, not the original.
• Beware of "Up to X% Off": Marketing language like "up to 70% off" often means only a few items have the maximum discount. Use our calculator to verify the actual savings on the specific item you want.
• Compare Before You Buy: Just because something is "on sale" doesn't mean it's a good deal. Calculate the final price and compare it to competitors or historical prices (use tools like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate 20% off mentally?

Here's a quick mental math trick: To find 20% of any number, first find 10% by moving the decimal point one place to the left, then double it. For example, for $85: 10% = $8.50, so 20% = $8.50 × 2 = $17. The final price is $85 - $17 = $68. For other percentages, use 10% as a building block: 30% = 10% × 3, 15% = 10% + (10% ÷ 2), and so on.