Original Price Calculator
Use this tool to find out the original price of an item before a discount was applied. You need the final price you paid and the percentage of the discount.
Enter the price after discount and the percentage discount received. Ensure consistent currency units if applicable (though the calculation is unitless).
Enter Details
Understanding the Calculation
How it Works
When an item is discounted by a certain percentage, you are paying a *percentage of the original price*. For example, a 20% discount means you pay 80% of the original price (100% - 20% = 80%).
To find the original price, you divide the final price by the percentage you paid (expressed as a decimal).
Formula
The Original Price Formula is:
Original Price = Final Price / ((100 - Discount Percentage) / 100)
Which can also be written as:
Original Price = Final Price / (1 - (Discount Percentage / 100))
For example, if the final price is $75 and the discount is 25%:
Original Price = 75 / ((100 - 25) / 100) = 75 / (75 / 100) = 75 / 0.75 = 100
The original price was $100.
Examples
See how the calculation works with these examples:
Example 1: Shirt on Sale
Scenario: You buy a shirt for $40 during a 20% off sale.
Known Values: Final Price = $40, Discount = 20%.
Formula: Original Price = Final Price / (1 - Discount / 100)
Calculation: Original Price = 40 / (1 - 20 / 100) = 40 / (1 - 0.20) = 40 / 0.80
Result: Original Price = $50.00.
Conclusion: The shirt originally cost $50.
Example 2: Gadget Discount
Scenario: A gadget is purchased for $90 after a 10% discount.
Known Values: Final Price = $90, Discount = 10%.
Formula: Original Price = Final Price / (1 - Discount / 100)
Calculation: Original Price = 90 / (1 - 10 / 100) = 90 / (1 - 0.10) = 90 / 0.90
Result: Original Price = $100.00.
Conclusion: The gadget's original price was $100.
Example 3: Book Deal
Scenario: A book is bought for $15 with a 25% discount.
Known Values: Final Price = $15, Discount = 25%.
Formula: Original Price = Final Price / (1 - Discount / 100)
Calculation: Original Price = 15 / (1 - 25 / 100) = 15 / (1 - 0.25) = 15 / 0.75
Result: Original Price = $20.00.
Conclusion: The book's original price was $20.
Example 4: Half Price Item
Scenario: You pay $75 for an item that is 50% off.
Known Values: Final Price = $75, Discount = 50%.
Formula: Original Price = Final Price / (1 - Discount / 100)
Calculation: Original Price = 75 / (1 - 50 / 100) = 75 / (1 - 0.50) = 75 / 0.50
Result: Original Price = $150.00.
Conclusion: The item's original price was $150.
Example 5: Service Discount
Scenario: A service costs $85 after a 15% discount.
Known Values: Final Price = $85, Discount = 15%.
Formula: Original Price = Final Price / (1 - Discount / 100)
Calculation: Original Price = 85 / (1 - 15 / 100) = 85 / (1 - 0.15) = 85 / 0.85
Result: Original Price = $100.00.
Conclusion: The original cost of the service was $100.
Example 6: Accessory Price
Scenario: An accessory is bought for $19 with a 5% discount.
Known Values: Final Price = $19, Discount = 5%.
Formula: Original Price = Final Price / (1 - Discount / 100)
Calculation: Original Price = 19 / (1 - 5 / 100) = 19 / (1 - 0.05) = 19 / 0.95
Result: Original Price = $20.00.
Conclusion: The accessory's original price was $20.
Example 7: Sale Item
Scenario: A sale item costs $35 after a 30% discount.
Known Values: Final Price = $35, Discount = 30%.
Formula: Original Price = Final Price / (1 - Discount / 100)
Calculation: Original Price = 35 / (1 - 30 / 100) = 35 / (1 - 0.30) = 35 / 0.70
Result: Original Price = $50.00.
Conclusion: The item's original price was $50.
Example 8: Clearance Item
Scenario: You pay $60 for a clearance item marked 40% off.
Known Values: Final Price = $60, Discount = 40%.
Formula: Original Price = Final Price / (1 - Discount / 100)
Calculation: Original Price = 60 / (1 - 40 / 100) = 60 / (1 - 0.40) = 60 / 0.60
Result: Original Price = $100.00.
Conclusion: The clearance item's original price was $100.
Example 9: Using a Coupon
Scenario: After using a 10% coupon, the total is $45.
Known Values: Final Price = $45, Discount = 10%.
Formula: Original Price = Final Price / (1 - Discount / 100)
Calculation: Original Price = 45 / (1 - 10 / 100) = 45 / (1 - 0.10) = 45 / 0.90
Result: Original Price = $50.00.
Conclusion: The price before the coupon was $50.
Example 10: No Discount
Scenario: You enter a final price of $50 with a 0% discount.
Known Values: Final Price = $50, Discount = 0%.
Formula: Original Price = Final Price / (1 - Discount / 100)
Calculation: Original Price = 50 / (1 - 0 / 100) = 50 / (1 - 0) = 50 / 1
Result: Original Price = $50.00.
Conclusion: If there's no discount, the original price is the same as the final price.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of this calculator?
It helps you determine the price of an item *before* a percentage discount was applied, given the final price you paid and the discount percentage.
2. How do I use the calculator?
Simply enter the price you paid in the "Final Price" field and the percentage that was taken off (e.g., 20 for 20%) in the "Discount (%)" field. Then click "Calculate Original Price".
3. Can I calculate the discount *amount* with this tool?
No, this tool calculates the *original price*. To find the discount amount, you would subtract the final price from the original price calculated here.
4. What happens if I enter 0% discount?
If you enter 0% discount, the calculated original price will be the same as the final price you entered, as no discount was applied.
5. What if the discount is 100%?
A 100% discount means the item was free, so the final price should be zero. The calculator will flag this if the final price is not zero, as the calculation (division by zero) is not possible or meaningful.
6. Are there limitations on the input values?
Yes, the Final Price must be a positive number, and the Discount Percentage must be between 0 and 100 (inclusive). Entering invalid values will result in an error message.
7. What unit should I use for the price?
The calculation is purely mathematical based on numbers. The tool will display the output with a "$" symbol as a convention, but you can mentally substitute any currency unit (e.g., £, €, etc.) as long as you are consistent for the final and original price.
8. Why isn't the calculator working on my WordPress page?
Make sure you have entered valid numbers in both fields. If errors persist, check your browser's developer console for JavaScript errors. Occasionally, other WordPress plugins or themes can conflict with embedded scripts, though this code is written to minimize common issues like the `&&` character conversion problem you highlighted.
9. How accurate are the results?
The results are mathematically accurate based on the provided inputs and the standard formula. Results are displayed with two decimal places, suitable for currency.
10. Can this calculate the original price after a markup?
No, this tool is specifically for calculating the price *before* a discount. A markup calculation would require a different formula.
