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Percentage Discount CalculatorFind the exact discount rate
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Step-by-step breakdown
Use this free percentage discount calculator to find the exact discount percentage between any two prices. Enter the original price and the sale price - get the discount percent, the dollar savings, and a complete step-by-step breakdown.
All calculations use standard published formulas. Results are for informational use only.
Calculation details
The price dropped from $100.00 to $80.00 - that is a 20% discount, saving $20.00.
Discount Rate
20%
$20.00 off $100.00
$20.00
Amount saved
$80.00
Sale price
$100.00
Original price
You pay 80%You save 20%
Getting started
How to use this percentage discount calculator
This tool finds the exact percentage off when you already know the starting and ending prices.
1
Enter original price
The price before the sale or discount was applied.
2
Enter sale price
The current or discounted price you see advertised.
3
Read your rate
The discount percentage, savings amount, and step-by-step breakdown appear instantly.
Use the result to verify whether an advertised discount percentage is accurate, or to compare deals across stores by their true percent reduction.
The calculation
Step-by-step: how your rate is calculated
Here is exactly how your 20% discount rate was derived from the numbers above.
1
Find the discount amount
Discount Amount = Original Price - Sale Price
= $100.00 - $80.00
Discount Amount = $20.00
2
Divide by original price
Discount Rate = Discount Amount / Original Price
= $20.00 / $100.00
Discount Rate = 0.200000
3
Convert to percentage
Discount% = Discount Rate * 100
= 0.200000 * 100
Discount% = 20%
Examples
Percentage discount calculation examples
Loyalty discount
10% off
Original $100 · Sale $90
10%
Discount rate
Electronics deal
20% off
Original $249.99 · Sale $199.99
20%
Discount rate
Clearance markdown
40% off
Original $35 · Sale $21
40%
Discount rate
Reference
Percentage discount reference table
This table shows common discount scenarios.
| Original Price | Sale Price | Discount% |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | $90 | 10% |
| $80 | $60 | 25% |
| $200 | $150 | 25% |
| $50 | $30 | 40% |
| $249.99 | $199.99 | ~20% |
| $35 | $21 | 40% |
Strategy
Tips for evaluating discounts
Keep these points in mind when spotting deals.
Verify the original price
Check it against another retailer or a price-history tool. Some sellers inflate the "was" price before the sale.
Dollar saving vs. percent off
A big dollar number can hide a small percentage. $200 off a $4,000 TV is only 5% off.
Compare across stores
Use this calculator on each price pair. The store with the highest discount% has the best deal relative to original value.
Mistake: Using sale price as base
The percentage discount is always relative to the original price. If you divide the saving by the sale price instead, you get a higher (and incorrect) number.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Q
How do I calculate the percentage discount?Subtract the sale price from the original price to find the discount amount. Then divide that by the original price and multiply by 100. Formula: Discount% = ((Original - Sale) / Original) * 100. Example: original $120, sale $90 -> ((120 - 90) / 120) * 100 = 25%.
Q
What is the percentage discount formula?Discount% = ((Original Price - Sale Price) / Original Price) * 100. This formula works for any currency and any prices as long as the sale price is less than the original.
Q
How do I find the discount rate when I know both prices?Use the percentage discount formula: subtract the current (sale) price from the original price, divide by the original price, and multiply by 100. Enter both values into this calculator and the discount rate is shown instantly.
Q
What is the difference between percentage discount and discount amount?The discount amount is the dollar (or currency unit) reduction - for example, $20 off. The percentage discount is the ratio of that reduction to the original price - for example, 20%. This calculator converts the two known prices into the discount percentage.
Q
Can I use this to compare two sale offers?Yes. Calculate the discount percentage for each offer separately, then compare. A higher discount percentage means a better deal relative to the original price, even if the dollar saving looks different.
Q
What if the sale price is higher than the original?This calculator requires the sale price to be lower than the original price. If the sale price were higher, the result would be a negative percentage - which represents a price increase, not a discount.
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