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Markup Calculator

Enter your cost and one more number: the markup you want, the margin you want, or the price you charge. The calculator gives the other two and the profit in dollars. A $100 cost with a 40% markup sells for $140.00, which is only a 28.6% margin.

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140 selling price

Markup vs margin
Cost100
Profit40
Markup (profit ÷ cost)40%
Margin (profit ÷ price)28.57%

Works in any currency. You can type 40, 40%, 1,000 or 12.5. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere.

How markup and margin are calculated

Markup is profit as a share of your COST. Margin is profit as a share of the PRICE. Price = cost × (1 + markup). Profit = price − cost. Markup = profit ÷ cost. Margin = profit ÷ price. To convert: margin = markup ÷ (1 + markup), and markup = margin ÷ (1 − margin). A margin can never reach 100%, because the cost would have to be zero, so the margin box must stay under 100.

Markup and the margin it really gives
MarkupMarginPrice on a $100 cost
10%9.1%$110.00
20%16.7%$120.00
25%20%$125.00
30%23.1%$130.00
40%28.6%$140.00
50%33.3%$150.00
75%42.9%$175.00
100%50%$200.00
Margin and the markup you need to reach it
MarginMarkup neededPrice on a $100 cost
10%11.1%$111.11
20%25%$125.00
25%33.3%$133.33
30%42.9%$142.86
40%66.7%$166.67
50%100%$200.00

Worked example: the same $100 cost, three ways in

  1. Markup 40%: price = 100 × 1.40 = $140.00. Profit $40.00, margin = 40 ÷ 140 = 28.57%.
  2. Margin 40%: price = 100 ÷ (1 − 0.40) = $166.67. Profit $66.67, markup = 66.67 ÷ 100 = 66.67%.
  3. Cost $60 and price $100: profit $40.00, markup = 40 ÷ 60 = 66.67%, margin = 40 ÷ 100 = 40%.
  4. Same cost, same word "40%", very different price: $140.00 against $166.67.

Common questions

What is the difference between markup and margin?

Markup is profit divided by cost. Margin is profit divided by price. The same sale has a bigger markup than margin, so a 40% markup is not a 40% margin.

How do I calculate selling price from markup?

Multiply the cost by one plus the markup. A $100 cost with a 40% markup is 100 × 1.40 = $140.

How do I calculate selling price from a margin?

Divide the cost by one minus the margin. For a 40% margin on a $100 cost, 100 ÷ 0.60 = $166.67. Do not just add 40%, because that gives a 28.6% margin.

How do I convert markup to margin?

Margin = markup ÷ (1 + markup). A 25% markup is 0.25 ÷ 1.25 = a 20% margin. The table above shows common pairs.

Should contractors use markup or margin?

Either works if you stay consistent. Margin is easier to compare with overhead and with a profit goal, because both are shares of the price. Markup is easier to apply to a cost list.

Is markup the same as profit?

No. Markup is a percentage, and profit is the dollar amount left after cost. Overhead such as insurance and a truck is paid from that profit, so it is not all take-home money.

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Sources

This calculator is an estimate for planning. It does not include tax, overhead or discounts, so check your numbers with your own accounts before you set prices.