DealDecision

Discount Comparison Calculator — Percent vs Dollar Off

Enter your numbers to instantly find the best deal.
We do the math so you can stop guessing.

Price is

Which is better:

Option AOption B

Option A is cheaper

You save $5.00 more

Option A

$80.00

Option B

$85.00

For a $100 item, the 20% discount is the better deal. It saves you an extra $5.00 compared to the $15 offer. Always check the final price!

Why comparing discounts is confusing

Our brains don’t calculate percentages instantly. Retailers mix percent and dollar formats because they’re hard to compare at a glance. This tool converts both offers into the same unit so you can pick the cheaper option quickly.

About DealDecision

DealDecision is a free online tool that helps you compare discount offers instantly. Whether you're shopping online or in-store, simply enter the original price and your two discount options — we'll tell you which one saves more money. Our calculator works for any combination of percentage discounts (like 20% off) and dollar discounts (like $15 off). No signup required, 100% accurate, always free.

Popular Discount Calculation Scenarios & Tools

See all examples

$89.99 — 20% off vs $15 off — Common around $75–$120 items $199.50 — 30% off vs $50 off — Higher-priced products $49.95 — 15% off vs $10 off — Smaller purchases and add-ons $75.00 — 25% off vs $20 off — Common around $75–$120 items $299.99 — 40% off vs $100 off — Higher-priced products $35.50 — 10% off vs $5 off — Smaller purchases and add-ons $450.00 — 50% off vs $200 off — Higher-priced products $24.99 — 5% off vs $5 off — Smaller purchases and add-ons

Why trust our math?

We don’t guess. We calculate.

Why is this hard to judge?

•Percent off feels bigger, but isn’t always better at lower prices.
•Dollar off looks smaller, but can win at higher price points.
•Mental math fails when formats differ (e.g. 20% vs $15).

About this Tool

Built by shopping math enthusiasts to help you stop guessing. We use standard mathematical formulas to convert percentage discounts into dollar amounts instantly, providing an unbiased comparison so you can choose the absolute lowest price every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use this calculator?

Use it whenever you have two different coupons but can only use one (e.g., '20% off' vs '$15 off'). It is also perfect for comparing a sale item (percentage down) vs a clearance item (fixed price cut) to see which is the actual lower price.

Is a percentage discount (like 20% off) always better?

Not always. For items under $100, a fixed dollar discount often saves you more (a concept known as the 'Rule of 100'). For expensive items over $100, percentages usually win. Don't guess—enter your price above to be sure.

Can I compare 'Buy One Get One' (BOGO) deals?

Yes. To compare a BOGO deal (e.g., 'Buy One Get One 50% Off'), simply enter the total price of both items as the 'Original Price', then enter '25%' as the discount (since 50% off the second item equals 25% off the total).

Is the result 100% accurate?

Yes. We use standard mathematical formulas to convert percentages into exact dollar amounts. We do not round up or estimate—you see the exact penny-perfect difference between the two deals.

Does this work for stacking coupons (e.g. 20% + $5 off)?

Currently, this tool compares two separate offers to see which one is better. If you need to stack coupons, calculate the first discount, then use the new price to calculate the second one.

Why do retailers use different discount types?

To make deals look bigger. Retailers often switch between '%' and '$' signs to make the number look larger. Our tool cuts through the marketing math to show you the real savings.