Markup Calculator
Set your selling price from cost and markup percent — see the profit and margin it creates.
Enter cost and markup percent to get your selling price.
Formula
How to calculate
- 1Decide the markup percent you want to add on top of cost.
- 2Multiply cost by (1 + markup ÷ 100) to get the selling price.
- 3Subtract cost from the selling price for your profit.
- 4Convert to margin: markup ÷ (100 + markup) × 100.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter the cost of your item.
- 2Enter your desired markup percent.
- 3See the selling price, profit and equivalent margin instantly.
- 4Tune the markup until the price lands where you want it.
Examples
Retail example
$20 cost with an 80% markup → $36 selling price, $16 profit and a 44.4% margin.
Keystone pricing
$50 cost doubled (100% markup) → $100 price and a 50% margin — the classic retail rule of thumb.
Common questions
What is a typical retail markup?
Many retailers use keystone pricing — a 100% markup, i.e. doubling cost. Fashion and specialty goods often run higher; high-volume categories lower.
How do I convert markup to margin?
Divide the markup by (1 + markup): a 100% markup gives 1 ÷ 2 = 50% margin; a 50% markup gives 33.3% margin.
Can a markup be negative?
Selling below cost produces a negative markup. It only makes sense as a deliberate strategy — loss leaders or clearance — and never as a long-term price.
