Markup vs margin calculator

Convert between markup and margin, and see the price and profit each one produces on the same cost.

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Price at 20% markup$1,200.00
Margin that actually gives you16.7%Always lower than the markup number
Price for 20% margin$1,250.00
Extra you must charge$50.00The gap between marking up and actually making the margin
How this is calculated

Markup price = cost x (1 + markup). Margin = (price - cost) / price. Price for a target margin = cost / (1 - margin). Markup is measured against cost, margin against price, which is why the same percentage gives two different numbers.

Frequently asked
Why do markup and margin differ?

They use different denominators. Markup divides profit by cost, margin divides profit by price. A 50 percent markup on $1,000 is a $1,500 price and a 33.3 percent margin. To make a 50 percent margin you charge $2,000.

Which should I quote on?

Price on margin, because margin is what covers overhead and profit as a share of the money that actually comes in. Marking up cost by your target margin quietly underprices every job, and the error grows with the margin.

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