Markup Calculator

Type a cost and a markup — or a cost and a price — and instantly see your selling price, profit, and true margin.

What do you want to find?

Cost ($)

Markup %

The markup calculator answers the two questions every seller asks: “What should I charge if I want a certain markup?” and “What markup am I actually getting at this price?” Enter a cost plus either a markup percentage or a selling price, and the price, profit, markup, and margin update as you type. Everything runs in your browser — your numbers never leave your device. Estimates only — not financial, tax, insurance, or legal advice.

Markup vs. margin — they are not the same

Markup measures profit against cost; margin measures it against price. A $10 item sold for $15 carries a 50% markup but only a 33.3% margin, because the $5 profit is half the cost yet just a third of the price. Mixing these up is one of the most common pricing mistakes — a shop aiming for a “50% margin” that applies a 50% markup ends up meaningfully short. This tool shows both side by side so nothing gets lost in translation.

The formulas this tool uses

Selling price = cost × (1 + markup ÷ 100). Profit = price − cost. Markup % = profit ÷ cost × 100. Margin % = profit ÷ price × 100. In reverse mode, the tool takes your cost and selling price and solves for the markup, then reports the same profit and margin figures — handy for checking a competitor’s price or auditing your own catalog.

How to use it

Pick what you want to find: the selling price, or the markup hidden in an existing price.
Enter your unit cost — include materials, fees, and shipping you absorb for a truer picture.
Enter your markup % (or the selling price in reverse mode).
Read the results row: price, profit per unit, markup, and margin, all live.

FAQ

What is a typical markup?: It varies wildly by industry: groceries often run 5–25%, apparel 50–100%, and handmade or print-on-demand goods 100%+ to cover platform fees and time. Price to your market, not a rule of thumb.
Can markup be more than 100%?: Yes. A 200% markup on a $5 cost gives a $15 price. Margin, by contrast, can never reach 100% while the item still has a cost.
Should I include fees in my cost?: For the most honest profit number, yes — add transaction fees, packaging, and free-shipping costs into the cost field so the profit card reflects what you actually keep.
Why does reverse mode need a cost above zero?: Markup divides profit by cost, so a zero cost would make the percentage undefined. Enter even a small real cost to get a meaningful markup.