Discount to Reach Target Price Calculator
Work out the exact discount percentage needed to bring an original price down to the price you want to hit.
How it works
Discount% = (original − target) ÷ original × 100 · Amount off = original − target
The discount that takes an original price to a target is the saving expressed as a fraction of the original, not the target. Divide the amount you want to knock off by the starting price and multiply by 100. Anchoring to the original price is what makes it a genuine discount percentage — dividing by the target instead would overstate the cut.
Worked example
To bring a $200 item down to $150 you are cutting $50. As a share of the original $200 that is 50 ÷ 200 = 25%, so a 25% discount lands you exactly on $150.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the discount percentage between two prices?
Subtract the target from the original to get the saving, then divide by the original and multiply by 100. From $200 to $150 is 50 ÷ 200 = 25%.
Should I divide by the original or the target price?
Always by the original. A discount is measured against the price you started from. Dividing $50 by the $150 target would give 33%, which is not the discount actually applied.
What if the target is higher than the original?
Then it is a price increase (markup), not a discount, so this calculator asks for a target at or below the original. Use a markup calculator for increases.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.