🧾 Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate tax amount and total price from a tax rate.
About this tool
This calculator adds sales tax to a price so you know the real total before you're at the register — useful since tax rates vary widely by state, county and city.
If you're also working out a discount on the same purchase, run the price through the Discount Calculator first, then bring the result here for tax.
Worked example
A $250 purchase with an 8.25% local tax rate adds $20.63 in tax, for a total of $270.63 at the register.
How to use it
- Enter the pre-tax price.
- Enter your local sales tax rate as a percentage.
- Press Calculate to see the tax amount and total.
Tips
- Sales tax rates are set locally — check your specific city or county rate rather than a statewide average if you need precision.
- Some items (groceries, medicine) are tax-exempt or taxed differently depending on where you live.
- For a discounted item, apply the Discount Calculator first, then run the sale price through this tool.
FAQ
Does this work for VAT?
Yes, the math is the same — just enter your local VAT rate as the percentage.
Is sales tax the same everywhere?
No, it varies by state, county, and sometimes city — always check your local rate.
Can I calculate the pre-tax price from a total?
Not directly here — divide the total by (1 + tax rate) to back into the pre-tax price.
📖 Want the fuller explanation?
See Percentages Explained for the reasoning behind this calculation, with worked examples.