How discounts work
A discount reduces the price by a percentage of the original. The amount saved is price × discount ÷ 100, and the final price is what's left after subtracting it.
Stacked / extra coupons
When a store gives "40% off + extra 10%", the coupons usually apply one after another, not added together. 40% then 10% is a 46% effective discount — not 50%. Turn on "Extra coupon on top" to see the real effective discount.
Worked example
An item is priced at ₹2,499 with 40% off. The saving is 2,499 × 40 ÷ 100 = ₹999.60, leaving a final price of ₹1,499.40.
To go the other way — you know the sale price and want the original — divide rather than subtract. An item selling at ₹1,499.40 after 40% off was 1,499.40 ÷ 0.6 = ₹2,499. Subtracting 40% from the sale price instead would give ₹899.64, which is not the original price of anything.
Comparing two offers
The bigger percentage is not always the cheaper deal, because each is measured against a different starting price. A jacket at ₹4,000 with 60% off costs ₹1,600; the same jacket at ₹2,000 with 20% off costs ₹1,600 as well. The headline numbers look three times apart and the outcome is identical.
- Compare final prices, never percentages. It is the only comparison that means anything.
- "Up to 70% off" describes the single best item in the range, not the one you are holding.
- Discount off MRP is measured against the printed maximum price, which is often well above the usual selling price.
- Add delivery before deciding. A cheaper item with a shipping charge can easily end up costing more.
Frequently asked questions
Is 40% + 10% the same as 50% off?
No. They apply in sequence: after 40% off you pay 60%, then 10% off that leaves 54%, so you actually save 46%.
Does this include GST?
This shows the discount on the listed price. For tax on a price, use the GST calculator.
How do I work out the original price from the sale price?
Divide the sale price by one minus the discount written as a decimal. At 40% off, divide by 0.6; at 25% off, divide by 0.75. Subtracting the percentage from the sale price gives the wrong answer.
What discount would give me a round final price?
Enter the price and adjust the percentage until the final figure lands where you want it. The result updates as you type, so it is quicker than solving it on paper.
Do these figures include delivery or payment charges?
No. The calculator works on the item price only. Shipping, handling and any payment charges are added by the seller afterwards, and they are often what decides which of two offers is actually cheaper.