Discount Calculator
Calculate sale prices, discount amounts, and original prices from discounted values.
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Common questions
Why is 20% + 20% not 40% off?
Stacked discounts don't add — they multiply. 20% off ₹1,000 = ₹800. Then 20% off ₹800 = ₹640. Total saved: ₹360 = 36%, not 40%. The second discount applies to the already-reduced price. This is why "20% + 20%" sounds better than "36% off" from the retailer's perspective — consumers often mentally add the percentages.
How do I calculate the original price from a discounted price?
If you know the sale price and discount %, the original is: Original = Sale Price ÷ (1 - Discount%). Example: ₹800 after 20% off → Original = ₹800 ÷ 0.8 = ₹1,000. Many people reverse-calculate incorrectly by adding the discount % back to the sale price (₹800 + 20% = ₹960 — wrong). Always divide by (1 - discount rate).
What is "maximum retail price" (MRP) vs actual price?
MRP (Maximum Retail Price) is the highest price a product can be legally sold at in India (Legal Metrology Act). Actual retail prices can be lower. When a retailer says "30% off MRP," the question is: what was the actual market price? Many products are routinely sold at 20–30% below MRP (especially electronics, FMCG). The effective discount from the real market price may be much smaller.
How do I spot fake discount pricing?
Common tactics: (1) Inflated "original" price — the product was never sold at that price. (2) Anchor price is the highest-ever price from years ago. (3) "Sale ends today" — runs every day. (4) Bundle discounts that include items you don't want. Check price history tools (CamelCamelCamel for Amazon, browser extensions) to verify that the "original" price was real.
What is the difference between discount and rebate?
Discount: price reduction applied at point of purchase — you pay less immediately. Rebate: price reduction applied after purchase — you pay full price, then claim money back (mail-in rebate, cashback). Rebates are psychologically designed to reduce the stated price while knowing many people won't bother to claim. If you calculate the "effective price" of a rebate offer, always assume you will remember to claim it — then decide if it's worth it.