How to calculate a discount
Multiply the price by the discount percentage and divide by 100 to get the amount off, then subtract it from the price. For 20% off 250, the saving is 250 × 20 ÷ 100 = 50, so you pay 200. A quicker way is to multiply by what is left: 20% off means you pay 80%, and 250 × 0.8 = 200.
Stacked discounts are not added together
Sales in Dubai, Riyadh and online often advertise 50% off plus an extra 20%. That is not 70% off. The extra 20% comes off the already reduced price, so 100 becomes 50, then 40, which is 60% off in total. The calculator shows the true combined discount so you can compare offers fairly.
Finding the discount percentage
If a price tag shows the old and new price, divide the difference by the old price and multiply by 100. An item cut from 80 to 60 is 20 ÷ 80 × 100 = 25% off. Use this to check whether a 'big sale' is really a big discount.
Discounts and VAT
Shelf prices in the UAE and Saudi Arabia normally include VAT, so the discount already applies to the VAT-inclusive price. If you are working with prices before VAT, as businesses often do, choose 5% for the UAE and Oman or 15% for Saudi Arabia to add VAT after the discount. For business pricing and profit, use the profit margin calculator.