Markup Calculator
Add a markup percentage on top of your cost to set a selling price. Markup is calculated on cost — different from margin, which is calculated on selling price.
Figures are shown in the currency you select. Currency is a display setting only — no exchange-rate conversion is applied.
What your result means
This tool gives you an instant, accurate markup calculator so you can make pricing and planning decisions with real numbers instead of guesswork. Adjust any input and recalculate to explore different scenarios before you commit.
Formula
Selling Price = Cost + Markup Amount
Worked example
A boutique buys a jacket for $100 and wants to apply a 50% markup.
Selling Price = $100 + $50 = $150
(Implied margin: $50 ÷ $150 = 33.3%)
Common mistakes
- Assuming a 50% markup produces a 50% margin — it actually produces a 33.3% margin.
- Applying markup to selling price instead of cost.
- Forgetting to include packaging, freight-in or handling as part of 'cost' before applying markup.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my margin lower than my markup percentage?
Markup is a percentage of cost; margin is a percentage of the selling price, which is a bigger number. The same dollar amount is therefore always a smaller percentage of price than of cost — so markup % is always higher than margin % (for positive values).
What markup should I use?
It depends on your industry, competition and overheads. Retail often uses 30–100% markup (keystone pricing is a 100% markup), while services and made-to-order goods can go much higher.
Can I go from margin to markup instead?
Yes — use our Profit Margin Calculator or Product Pricing Calculator if you want to start from a target margin rather than a markup percentage.