Markup Calculator
Calculate selling price and markup from product cost.
This markup calculator finds the selling price of a product from its cost and a chosen markup percentage, or works backward to find the markup percentage between a known cost and selling price.
Enter your product cost and markup percentage, and the calculator returns the resulting selling price.
Worked Calculation Examples
| Scenario | Result | Calculation Step |
|---|---|---|
| $40 cost, 50% markup | Price = $60 | Price = 40 × 1.50 = $60. |
| $80 cost, 25% markup | Price = $100 | Price = 80 × 1.25 = $100. |
The Markup Formula
Selling price = cost x (1 + markup percentage). A product costing $40 with a 50% markup sells for $40 x 1.5 = $60. Markup is calculated as a percentage of cost, which is a key distinction from profit margin, calculated as a percentage of selling price instead.
Markup vs. Profit Margin: A Common Confusion
A 50% markup on a $40 cost item gives a $60 price, but the resulting profit margin is only 33.3% ($20 profit / $60 price), not 50% - markup and margin describe the same profit dollar amount from two different reference points (cost vs. price), and confusing the two is a common pricing mistake.
How to Use the Markup Calculator
- Open the Markup Calculator and enter the values requested in the input fields.
- Check the units, percentages, dates, or time periods before reading the answer.
- Review the instant result and adjust any value to compare another scenario.
- Use the formula, example, and FAQs below to understand how the markup calculator works.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate selling price from cost and markup?
Multiply the cost by (1 + markup percentage as a decimal): selling price = cost x (1 + markup%).
Is a 50% markup the same as a 50% profit margin?
No - a 50% markup on cost produces a lower profit margin percentage (calculated on the selling price), since markup and margin use different reference points for the same profit amount.
How do you find the markup percentage between cost and price?
Subtract cost from selling price to find profit, divide by cost, then multiply by 100: markup% = ((price - cost) / cost) x 100.
How do I use this markup calculator?
Enter the known values, review the units or settings, and the calculator updates the result instantly. The formula and example on this page show how the answer is produced.
What does the Markup Calculator calculate?
Calculate selling price and markup from product cost. It is designed for fast browser-based calculations without sign-up, downloads, or manual spreadsheet setup.
What formula does this markup use?
The formula is: price = cost * (1 + markup %). Markup and margin are frequently confused because they describe the same profit dollar amount from two different reference points - markup as a percentage of cost, margin as a percentage of selling price - a distinction retail and accounting education has had to explicitly teach for as long as percentage-based pricing has existed, precisely because the same numeric percentage means something different depending on which one is used.
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Last updated: September 27, 2026.