Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax and total price.
How to use this tool
- Enter amount and tax rate in the fields above.
- Results update instantly as you type — or click Calculate.
- Read your sales tax and the full breakdown beneath it.
Calculate sales tax and total price.
⚠ This tool provides general estimates for education only and is not financial, tax or legal advice. Figures may not reflect your situation — verify with a qualified professional.
Formula
Sales Tax = Amount × Tax Rate ÷ 100
Total = Amount + Sales Tax
Tax = Amount × rate ÷ 100
How it works
This calculator computes the sales tax charged on a pre-tax purchase amount at a given percentage rate, then adds it to find the total amount due. The tax is calculated by multiplying the pre-tax amount by the rate divided by 100, which converts the percentage to a decimal factor. The result reflects a simple single-rate tax applied to the entire purchase and does not handle tiered rates, tax-exempt items, or compound tax structures.
Actual sales tax rules vary by jurisdiction; this tool provides a straightforward estimate for a single flat rate.
Worked example
- Pre-tax amount = $100; Tax rate = 10%
- Sales tax = $100 × 10 ÷ 100 = $10
- Total = $100 + $10 = $110
Sales tax = $10; Total = $110
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering the tax-inclusive price and expecting a pre-tax result — this calculator adds tax to a net price; use Price = Total / (1 + rate/100) to extract the pre-tax base.
- Using a national average rate instead of the applicable state+county+city rate, which can differ by several percentage points in the US.
- Forgetting that some items (groceries, medicine) are exempt or taxed at reduced rates in many jurisdictions — the calculator applies the same rate to all inputs.
Key terms
- Sales tax
- A consumption tax imposed by a government on the sale of goods and services, collected at the point of purchase.
- Tax rate
- The percentage of the purchase price charged as tax; set by the applicable taxing authority.
- Pre-tax amount
- The price of goods or services before any sales tax is added; the base for the tax calculation.
- Total (tax-inclusive price)
- The final amount the buyer pays, including both the pre-tax price and the sales tax.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I find the pre-tax price if I only have the total with tax?
- Divide the total by (1 + rate/100). Example: $107 total with 7% tax: $107 / 1.07 = $100 pre-tax.
- Is sales tax the same as VAT?
- No. Sales tax is collected only at the final point of sale (US model). VAT is collected at each production stage and is the norm in most of Europe and much of the world.
- What is the highest combined sales tax rate in the US?
- Some localities in Louisiana and Tennessee exceed 11-12% when state, county, and city rates are combined. Check your specific address for the exact combined rate.