Markup Calculator
Set a selling price from cost and target markup.
Markup is the amount you add on top of what an item cost you. This calculator turns a cost and a target markup percentage into a selling price, then shows the profit per unit and the margin that price actually produces.
It is the fastest way to build a price list. Retailers use it to apply a consistent keystone across a catalogue, wholesalers use it to quote trade pricing, and contractors use it to mark up materials passed through to a client. Because it also reports the resulting margin, you can immediately see whether the markup you have chosen is enough to cover overhead.
A common and expensive mistake is treating markup and margin as the same number. A 30% markup on a $100 cost gives a $130 price and a 23.1% margin, not a 30% one. Enter your cost and markup below to see both figures side by side before you commit to a price.
Your numbers
Selling price
$145.00
🇺🇸 US · USD
- Unit cost
- $100.00
- Markup applied
- 45.00%
- Profit per unit
- $45.00
- Resulting margin
- 31.03%
Estimates only. Results from this calculator are for general informational purposes and are not tax, legal, accounting or financial advice. Rates change and individual circumstances vary — confirm figures with the CRA, the IRS, your state or provincial authority, or a licensed professional before acting on them.
Advertisement
How it's calculated
- Profit = Cost × (Markup % ÷ 100)
- Selling price = Cost + Profit
- Margin % = (Profit ÷ Selling price) × 100
Understand the numbers
Frequently asked questions
- What markup should I use?
- Retail commonly uses 50–100% (keystone doubles the cost). Service businesses marking up materials often use 15–35%. Choose a level that covers overhead plus the profit you want.
- Does the price include sales tax?
- No. This is a pre-tax price. Add GST/HST, PST/QST, or US state sales tax on top using our sales tax calculators.
- How do I convert a target margin into a markup?
- Markup % = margin ÷ (1 − margin). A 40% target margin needs a 66.7% markup.
- Can I mark up labour as well as materials?
- Yes, but many contractors price labour at an hourly rate instead. Our hourly rate calculator handles that case.
Related calculators
Advertisement