Discount Comparison
Compare deals side by side — which offer gives you the lowest price per item?
Deal B saves you 2.00 per item
That's 4.8% cheaper per item compared to Deal A.
What is a discount calculator?
A discount calculator helps you compare different types of deals and promotions to find the best value. Not all discounts are created equal — a "buy 2 get 1 free" deal might be better or worse than a flat 30% off, depending on the original prices. The key metric is the unit price: how much each individual item costs after the discount is applied.
Retailers use complex discount structures because they know most shoppers cannot easily compare deals in their heads. A discount calculator cuts through the marketing and shows you the actual per-item cost, so you can make informed decisions rather than relying on how good a deal "feels."
Common deal types
- Percentage off: A straight percentage discount on the original price. 30% off a $60 item = $42.
- Buy X get Y free: You pay for X items and receive Y additional items free. The effective discount depends on the ratio.
- Multi-buy: A fixed price for buying multiple items (e.g., 3 for $100 instead of $40 each).
- Bundle discounts: A percentage off when purchasing a set of items together.
How to use this tool
Enter the original price and the deal details. The calculator computes the effective unit price, total savings, and effective discount percentage. Compare multiple deals side by side to find the best value. The lowest unit price is the best deal, regardless of how the discount is structured.
Smart shopping tips
- Always calculate the per-item cost — do not trust the "save X%" label without verification.
- A better unit price only saves money if you actually need and will use the extra items. Buying 10 yogurts at a discount is not a saving if 5 of them expire before you eat them.
- Compare prices across stores, not just within one store's promotions.
- Watch for "shrinkflation" — the price stays the same but the package size decreases, effectively a hidden price increase.
Frequently asked questions
Is buy-one-get-one-free the same as 50% off?
Only if you actually want two items. BOGO gives you a 50% discount per unit, but you must buy two. A flat 50% off applies to any quantity. If you only need one item, 50% off is the better deal. If you need two or more, they are equivalent.
How do stacked discounts work?
When multiple discounts are applied sequentially, they multiply rather than add. A 20% off coupon on top of a 30% sale does not equal 50% off. Instead: $100 minus 30% = $70, then $70 minus 20% = $56. The combined discount is 44%, not 50%.