Markup and margin calculator

This markup calculator finds a selling price from your cost and a markup percentage, or from a target profit margin. It also works backward: enter cost and price to see the markup and the margin.

Price from cost + markup %
Price from cost + profit margin %
Markup and margin from cost and price

Last updated October 28, 2026

How to use the markup calculator

Choose what you know besides the cost: the markup you want, the profit margin you want, or the price you already charge.
Enter what the item cost you, including anything you paid to get it ready to sell.
Enter the markup %, margin % or selling price.
Read the selling price (or markup), the profit in dollars, and both percentages side by side.

Markup and margin formulas

Markup and margin use the same profit but divide it by different numbers. Markup divides profit by cost. Margin divides profit by the selling price.

markup = (price − cost) ÷ cost · margin = (price − cost) ÷ price

To set a price from a markup, multiply the cost by one plus the markup. To set a price from a margin, divide the cost by one minus the margin.

price = cost × (1 + markup) · price = cost ÷ (1 − margin)

To convert between them: margin = markup ÷ (1 + markup), and markup = margin ÷ (1 − margin).

Worked example

You buy a pair of jeans for $20 and want a 50% markup.

Selling price: $20 × 1.50 = $30.00.
Profit: $30 − $20 = $10.00.
Markup: $10 ÷ $20 = 50%. Margin: $10 ÷ $30 = 33.3%.

If you wanted a 50% margin instead, the price is $20 ÷ (1 − 0.50) = $40.00, which is a 100% markup.

Margin to markup chart

Use this to turn a target margin into the markup to add to cost.

Profit margin	Markup on cost	Price for a $20 cost
15%	17.6%	$23.53
20%	25.0%	$25.00
25%	33.3%	$26.67
30%	42.9%	$28.57
40%	66.7%	$33.33
50%	100.0%	$40.00
60%	150.0%	$50.00

Leave room for selling fees

Platform fees are a share of the selling price, so they come straight off your margin. On eBay, most categories take 13.6% of the total sale plus $0.40 per order (fees last checked 28 October 2026). A 33.3% margin before fees on a $30 item becomes about 18% after the eBay fee on the item price alone.

A simple rule: add the platform’s percentage to the margin you want, then price from that. To keep a 30% margin after a 13.6% fee, price for a margin of about 43.6%, then check the result in the eBay fee calculator.

Common questions

How do you calculate markup percentage?

Subtract the cost from the selling price, divide by the cost, and multiply by 100. An item that costs $38 and sells for $95 has $57 of profit, and $57 ÷ $38 = 150% markup.

How do I calculate a selling price from a markup?

Multiply the cost by one plus the markup. A $20 item with a 40% markup sells for $20 × 1.40 = $28.

What is the difference between markup and margin?

Markup is profit as a share of cost; margin is profit as a share of the selling price. Buying at $20 and selling at $30 is a 50% markup and a 33.3% margin.

How do I calculate profit margin?

Divide the profit by the selling price and multiply by 100. Selling for $50 something that cost $35 gives $15 profit, and $15 ÷ $50 = 30% margin.

What markup gives a 30% margin?

A 42.9% markup. Divide the margin by one minus the margin: 0.30 ÷ 0.70 = 0.429. On a $20 cost that is a $28.57 price.

Markup and margin calculator