Stacked Discount Calculator
Calculate the final price when multiple discounts are applied
How to Use This Calculator
This stacked discount calculator helps you determine the actual final price when multiple discounts, coupons, and cashback offers are combined.
Step 1: Enter the original price of the item before any discounts.
Step 2: Enter each discount in order of application. Use the toggle to switch between percentage (%) and dollar ($) amounts. For example, "30% off" would be 30 with % selected, while a "$10 coupon" would be 10 with $ selected.
Step 3: If you have cashback rewards (credit card, store app, etc.), enter the percentage.
Step 4: Click "Calculate Final Price" to see the step-by-step breakdown and your total savings.
Tip: The order matters when mixing percentage and dollar discounts. Generally, apply percentage discounts first for maximum savings.
Why 30% + 20% Doesn't Equal 50%
One of the most common misconceptions about discounts is that they add up directly. When you see "30% off plus an extra 20% off," you might expect 50% total savings. But that's not how stacked discounts work.
The Math Behind Stacked Discounts
Stacked discounts are applied sequentially, with each discount calculated on the already-reduced price:
- Start with a $100 item
- Apply 30% off: $100 - $30 = $70
- Apply 20% off the new price: $70 - $14 = $56
- Total savings: $44 (44% off, not 50%)
The second discount is applied to $70, not the original $100, so you save $14 instead of $20. This compounding effect means stacked percentage discounts will always result in less total savings than simply adding the percentages together.
The Multiplication Formula
Mathematically, stacked percentage discounts multiply together:
Final Price = Original × (1 - Discount1) × (1 - Discount2) × ...
Example: $100 × 0.70 × 0.80 = $56
Does Order Matter?
For percentage-only discounts, order doesn't matter. 30% then 20% gives the same result as 20% then 30% (both = 56% of original price).
However, when mixing percentages and dollar amounts, order matters significantly. Apply percentage discounts first, then dollar amounts for the best deal:
- Better: $100 → 30% off = $70 → $10 coupon = $60
- Worse: $100 → $10 coupon = $90 → 30% off = $63
Example Scenarios
Black Friday Shopping Spree
You find a $200 jacket with the following offers:
- 30% Black Friday sale
- $20 email signup coupon
- 10% store credit card discount
- 5% cashback from your card
Calculation:
- After 30% off: $200 × 0.70 = $140
- After $20 coupon: $140 - $20 = $120
- After 10% card discount: $120 × 0.90 = $108
- Plus 5% cashback: $108 × 0.05 = $5.40 back
- Final cost: $102.60 (49% total savings!)
Clearance Rack Find
An $80 shirt on clearance:
- 50% clearance markdown
- Additional 20% off clearance
- $10 coupon minimum $25 purchase
Calculation:
- After 50% off: $80 × 0.50 = $40
- After 20% off: $40 × 0.80 = $32
- After $10 coupon: $32 - $10 = $22
- Final cost: $22 (73% off!)
Employee Discount Stack
A $150 item with employee perks:
- 15% employee discount
- 10% promotional code
- Free shipping ($15 value)
Calculation:
- After 15% employee: $150 × 0.85 = $127.50
- After 10% promo: $127.50 × 0.90 = $114.75
- Plus free shipping: Save $15
- Total savings: $50.25 (34% off)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can stores refuse to stack discounts?
Yes. Many stores have policies limiting discount stacking. Common restrictions include: only one coupon per transaction, promotional codes don't combine with sales, or employee discounts can't be combined with other offers. Always check the fine print on coupons and ask about store policies before assuming discounts will stack.
What's the best strategy for maximum savings?
For maximum savings: (1) Apply percentage discounts before dollar-amount coupons. (2) Look for stackable offers like store sales + manufacturer coupons + cashback. (3) Use shopping portals and cashback apps for an extra layer. (4) Time your purchase for double-dip opportunities like Black Friday + credit card quarterly bonus categories.
How does cashback work with discounts?
Cashback is typically calculated on your final purchase price after all discounts. So if you buy a $100 item for $60 after discounts and have 5% cashback, you earn $3 back (5% of $60), not $5 (5% of $100). Some reward programs have exceptions, so check your specific card or app terms.
Are there legal limits on stacking discounts?
There are no laws preventing discount stacking, but retailers set their own policies. Most limit stacking because extreme discounts cut into margins. Some stores are known for generous stacking policies (like Kohl's and Target), while others strictly prohibit it. Couponing communities track which stores allow what combinations.
Should I apply the bigger discount first or second?
For percentage discounts only, it doesn't matter mathematically. However, psychologically seeing the bigger number come off first feels better. When mixing percentages and dollars, apply percentages first to maximize savings. A $10 off after 30% off saves more than 30% off after $10 off.
How do I calculate the effective discount rate?
Divide your total dollar savings by the original price, then multiply by 100. If a $100 item costs you $56 after all discounts, your effective rate is ($100 - $56) / $100 × 100 = 44%. This single number tells you exactly how much you're saving regardless of how complex the discount stack is.
Tips for Stacking Discounts
- Check store policies first: Before getting excited about a stack, verify the store allows it. Many retailers have updated policies to limit stacking.
- Use cashback apps: Apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, and Honey can add another percentage on top of in-store discounts without violating store policies.
- Combine manufacturer and store coupons: Many stores allow one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon on the same item.
- Time your purchases: Stack seasonal sales with credit card category bonuses (like 5% back on department stores in Q4).
- Don't forget price adjustments: If an item goes on sale within the return window, some stores will refund the difference, effectively stacking with your original purchase discounts.
- Sign up for emails: Many retailers offer 10-20% off your first purchase when you join their email list, and these often stack with sales.
Did You Know?
- Extreme couponers have gotten stores to pay them (negative totals) by stacking manufacturer coupons, store coupons, and rebates.
- The term "doorbuster" refers to deals so good they cause crowds to break down doors, though modern Black Friday has largely moved online.
- Credit card rewards effectively add 1-5% to any discount stack, making them a crucial part of maximizing savings.
- Some retailers use "decoy pricing" where the "original price" is inflated to make discounts seem larger than they are.
- The average American saved $1,465 using coupons and discounts in 2023, according to RetailMeNot.