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Markup Calculator

Turn a cost into a price. Enter what an item costs you and the markup you want to add, and see the selling price, your profit, and the true margin.

Quick answer: Markup is how much you add to cost to set a price, measured against cost: markup % = (price − cost) ÷ cost × 100%. A $50 item sold for $75 has a 50% markup (but a 33% margin). Enter cost and either your price or target markup to solve for the other.
What the item or job costs you.
Percentage you add on top of cost.
Selling price
Profit per unit
Profit margin

Markup and margin are not the same number — a 50% markup is only a 33% margin. This shows both so you price off margin, which is what actually covers overhead.

No sign-up No ads Runs in your browser — your numbers never leave your device

Markup vs. margin

Markup is profit as a percentage of cost; margin is profit as a percentage of price. Add 50% markup to a $60 cost and you get a $90 price — but that's a 33% margin, not 50%. Confusing them quietly loses money, so this calculator shows both.

Markup vs. margin: the difference that quietly sinks pricing

Markup is measured against your cost: markup % = (price − cost) ÷ cost × 100. Margin is measured against your selling price: margin % = (price − cost) ÷ price × 100. They describe the same dollar of profit from two different angles, and confusing them is one of the most common — and most expensive — pricing errors small businesses make.

A worked example

You buy an item for $50 and sell it for $75. Your profit is $25. As a markup that is $25 ÷ $50 = 50% markup. As a margin it is $25 ÷ $75 = 33% margin. Same $25, two different percentages. A seller who thinks "I want a 50% margin" but actually applies a 50% markup will end up with only a 33% margin and quietly undercharge on every sale.

Converting between the two

To turn a markup into a margin: margin = markup ÷ (1 + markup). A 50% markup is 0.5 ÷ 1.5 ≈ 33% margin. To go the other way: markup = margin ÷ (1 − margin). Retailers often use "keystone" pricing — a 100% markup, i.e. doubling cost — which is a 50% margin.

Common mistakes

When to use it

Use it to set a price from a target markup, to reverse-engineer the margin a price actually earns, or to check that a discount still leaves you profitable. Enter your cost and either your price or your target markup, and the calculator solves for the rest.

Quick FAQ

How do I calculate markup?

Multiply your cost by (1 + markup%) to get the price. The difference is your profit. This calculator also converts it to the margin so you can compare prices fairly.

What markup should I use?

Enough that the resulting margin covers your overhead and leaves profit — many small businesses target a 40–50%+ markup on products, more on specialized work. Check the margin, not just the markup.

Related: profit margin calculator · discount calculator · all calculators.

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More questions

Is the Markup Calculator free to use?

Yes. The Markup Calculator is completely free, runs in your browser, and never asks for a signup, email, or download. Enter your numbers and the result updates instantly.

How accurate is this calculator?

It uses standard formulas and recalculates the moment you change a value, so the math is exact for the inputs you enter. Treat the result as a reliable planning estimate; for decisions with legal or tax consequences, confirm the figures with a qualified professional.

Does it work on my phone?

Yes. The calculator is mobile-friendly and works on any phone, tablet, or computer — there is no app to install and nothing to save.

Can I add this calculator to my own website?

Yes. Scroll to “Add this free calculator to your site” above and copy the embed snippet to place the live calculator on your blog or website for free.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Free to use, no signup — Markup Calculator by ToolWise Digital.

Add this free calculator to your site

Copy the snippet to embed the live calculator on your blog or website — free for any site. The small “Calculator by ToolWise Digital” credit line keeps it free; you're welcome to remove it, but we appreciate you leaving it.

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