Percent Off Calculator

To determine the final price after a discount, the calculator multiplies the original price (before) by the complement of the discount rate. If multiple discounts apply, they are compounded sequentially. The core mathematical model is expressed as: After = Before × (1 - Discount₁) × (1 - Discount₂). When sales tax is included, it factors in the taxable amount to reveal the exact final sum leaving your wallet.

Imagine you want to buy a high-end jacket with an original price of $200. The store is offering a 20% seasonal markdown, and you have a loyalty coupon for an additional 10% off. First, convert the percentages to decimals (0.20 and 0.10). Apply the first discount: $200 × (1 - 0.20) = $160. Next, apply the second discount to the reduced price: $160 × (1 - 0.10) = $144. Your final purchase price is $144, meaning you save a total of $56 off the original retail value.

Always verify whether store promotions apply before or after taxes are calculated to avoid unexpected register surprises. When dealing with stacked discounts, remember that taking 20% off and then another 10% off is not equivalent to a single 30% discount; the combined savings formula actually yields a slightly lower total percentage off because the second discount applies to an already reduced price.