How discounts are calculated
A single discount is simple: final price = original × (1 − discount%). A ₹2,999 item at 40% off costs ₹2,999 × 0.60 = ₹1,799, saving ₹1,200. The calculator shows both the price you pay and the rupees you save, which is often the more motivating number.
The stacked-discount trap (40% + 10% is not 50%)
This is where shoppers get fooled. When a sale offers 40% off and a coupon adds '10% extra off', the 10% applies to the already-reduced price, not the original. So ₹2,999 → 40% off = ₹1,799 → 10% off = ₹1,619. That's an effective 46% off, not 50%. The second discount is always worth less than it looks, because it's taken on a smaller base.
Retailers know this reads as '50% off' in shoppers' heads while costing them less. Enter both discounts above and the tool shows the true effective percentage — handy for comparing a '50% + 10%' offer against a flat '55%' one (the flat 55% is actually better).
Discounts, GST and comparing offers
Two more things worth knowing when hunting a deal:
- GST is charged on the discounted price, not the original, as long as the discount shows on the bill — so a genuine discount also slightly reduces the tax you pay.
- To compare 'flat ₹500 off' against 'X% off', compute both final prices for your specific item — a percentage wins on expensive items, a flat amount wins on cheaper ones.
- Watch the base price: a 'discount' from an inflated MRP isn't a real saving. Check the typical selling price before being impressed by the percentage.
- Buy-one-get-one (BOGO) is a 50% effective discount if you need both items — less if you only wanted one.
Frequently asked questions
›How do I calculate the final price after a discount?
Multiply the original price by (1 − discount/100). A ₹2,999 item at 40% off is 2,999 × 0.60 = ₹1,799. The calculator above shows the final price and the amount saved instantly.
›Is 40% plus 10% off the same as 50% off?
No — it's less. The extra 10% applies to the already-reduced price, so ₹2,999 becomes ₹1,799 then ₹1,619: an effective 46%, not 50%. Two discounts never simply add up. The calculator shows the true effective discount.
›Is GST charged before or after the discount?
After — GST applies to the discounted price, provided the discount appears on the invoice. So a real discount also reduces the GST slightly. Post-sale discounts not shown on the bill have stricter GST rules.
›How do I compare a percentage discount with a flat discount?
Work out the final price under each for your specific item. A percentage discount saves more on expensive items; a flat rupee discount saves more on cheaper ones. There's no universal winner — it depends on the price.
›What is a good way to spot a fake discount?
Check the base price. A big percentage off an inflated 'MRP' can still be more than the item's normal selling price elsewhere. Compare the final price against what other sellers actually charge, not against the claimed original.