Everyday math
Unit price comparison
Compare two package prices using compatible quantities, including mixed US and metric units.
Your inputs
Complete the fields for your selected method. Zero means intentionally zero, not unknown. Currency selection labels amounts; it does not convert exchange rates.
How this calculation works
unit price = package price / normalized package quantity
Enter total usable quantity in each entire package, not a count of packages unless item counts are what you compare. US gallons and US fluid ounces are used. Weight ounces and fluid ounces cannot be compared. Prices should include the same set of charges. No quality, waste or density equivalence is assumed.
What information do I need?
Use records for the same job, equipment or accounting period. Only the fields for your selected entry method are required. An unknown amount is not zero.
Input definitions and where to find them
- Option A package price (selected currency): Use matching records or a clearly stated assumption for the indicated period. Prefilled figures are illustrative. An unknown value is not zero.
- Option A total package quantity: Use matching records or a clearly stated assumption for the indicated period. Prefilled figures are illustrative. An unknown value is not zero.
- Option A quantity unit: Use matching records or a clearly stated assumption for the indicated period. Prefilled figures are illustrative. An unknown value is not zero.
- Option B package price (selected currency): Use matching records or a clearly stated assumption for the indicated period. Prefilled figures are illustrative. An unknown value is not zero.
- Option B total package quantity: Use matching records or a clearly stated assumption for the indicated period. Prefilled figures are illustrative. An unknown value is not zero.
- Option B quantity unit: Use matching records or a clearly stated assumption for the indicated period. Prefilled figures are illustrative. An unknown value is not zero.
Use the Where to find this value controls beside the inputs for available work-it-out helpers. Estimates remain your assumptions; a helper does not verify the source figures.
Worked example
Example amounts use US dollars (USD).
Example answer: Option A cost per lb is $8.0000 for the illustrative inputs below.
Example inputs
- Option A package price: $8.00
- Option A total package quantity: 16.00
- Option A quantity unit: ounce by weight
- Option B package price: $10.00
- Option B total package quantity: 24.00
- Option B quantity unit: ounce by weight
- Option A cost per lb
- $8.0000
- Option B cost per lb
- $6.6667
- A minus B cost per lb
- $1.3333
- Lower unit price
- Option B
- A savings relative to B
- -20.0000 %
These illustrative values are not recommended rates or industry averages. Replace every example input with your own figures.
Use the result well
Compare two package prices using compatible quantities, including mixed US and metric units.
Keep inputs on the same scope and time basis. Calculations retain precision internally; displayed values generally round to two decimal places, with extra precision for very small values and whole-unit rounding where required. Economic comparisons describe your supplied assumptions and do not guarantee future results.
This tool provides business arithmetic. It does not approve engineering designs, establish legal or tax treatment, select equipment or certify safe operating conditions.