Price Markup & Margin Calculator
Calculate markup, margin, and sale price. See the difference between markup on cost and margin on price.
What is a markup and margin calculator?
A markup and margin calculator helps you set sale prices, compare profit rates, and understand the difference between markup on cost and margin on price – essential for retail, wholesale, and menu pricing.
This tool runs entirely in your browser. Switch between three modes depending on whether you know your markup %, target margin %, or the final sale price.
Everyday examples
Retail markup
Cost 40, 50% markup → sale price 60, profit 20, margin 33.33%.
Target margin
Cost 80, 25% margin → sale price 106.67, markup 33.33%.
Check a shelf price
Cost 12, sale 15 → markup 25%, margin 20%, profit 3.
How to use this calculator
Pick one of three modes, enter what you know, and read the breakdown instantly. No button, no account – everything runs in your browser.
When should you use this?
Product pricing
Set a sale price from wholesale cost and your target markup or margin.
Menu & catering
Food-cost ratios often use margin on menu price, not markup on ingredients.
Margin audits
Enter cost and actual sale price to see markup % and margin % side by side.
Common mistakes
Markup vs margin
50% markup on cost is not 50% margin. Margin is always lower for the same profit.
100% margin
Margin at or above 100% is impossible – profit cannot equal or exceed the full sale price.
Ignoring currency
The currency dropdown is for display only. Convert costs separately if you buy in another currency.
Worked scenarios
Five quick anchors that mirror the three calculator modes.
| Scenario | What you enter | Result | Real-world context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50% markup | Cost 100, markup 50% | Sale 150, margin 33.33% | Simple retail doubling rule of thumb |
| 40% margin | Cost 60, margin 40% | Sale 100, markup 66.67% | Target margin on final price |
| Known sale price | Cost 25, sale 40 | Markup 60%, margin 37.5% | Checking an existing price tag |
| Low margin item | Cost 95, sale 100 | Markup 5.26%, margin 5% | Commodity or competitive SKU |
| Loss leader | Cost 50, sale 45 | Markup −10%, margin −11.11% | Promo below cost (shown in red) |
Formulas
- Profit
Sale price − Cost - Markup %
(Profit ÷ Cost) × 100 - Margin %
(Profit ÷ Sale price) × 100 - Sale from markup
Cost × (1 + Markup% ÷ 100) - Sale from margin
Cost ÷ (1 − Margin% ÷ 100)
Key pricing terms
Markup
Percent added on top of cost. A 100 cost with 50% markup sells for 150.
Margin (gross)
Profit as a percent of sale price. 50 profit on a 150 sale is 33.33% margin.
Cost price
What you pay to acquire or produce the item before selling it.
Sale price
The amount you charge the customer. Markup and margin both link cost and sale price through profit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How markup, margin, and sale price relate to each other.
What is the difference between markup and margin?
Markup is profit divided by cost. Margin is profit divided by sale price. The same profit gives a higher markup % than margin %.
How do I get a 30% margin?
Use Margin mode: enter cost and 30. Sale price = cost ÷ 0.70. Example: cost 70 → sale 100.
Why is 100% margin blocked?
At 100% margin the entire sale price would be profit with zero cost share, which breaks the formula (division by zero).
Can sale price be below cost?
Yes. The calculator allows it and shows negative markup, margin, and profit in red – useful for loss leaders or clearance.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is an educational estimator. VAT, fees, and channel costs are not included. Confirm binding prices with your accountant or policy.
About these results
Outputs follow the formulas on this page from the numbers you enter. Rounding, VAT, fees, and display currency can change real totals. Use answers for planning, not as binding price lists.