Cost Calculator

Multi-item cost calculator with quantities, discounts, tax profiles, and CSV import/export. Built for quotes and small-business pricing.

How Total Cost is Calculated

Calculating the true cost of a purchase or sale takes more than multiplying price times quantity. Discounts, taxes, and per-item variations all bend the final number — and the order of operations matters. The standard convention in nearly every US jurisdiction: subtotal first (unit price × quantity), then apply discount (whether percentage or flat amount), then apply sales tax to the discounted amount. This calculator handles all three with a multi-item table, configurable tax profiles, and CSV import/export. Build the quote here, then move it to the Invoice Generator for client delivery, or run the pricing through the Budget Calculator to see how it fits a monthly plan.

How to use this tool

1
Add line items
For each item, enter name, quantity, and unit price. Optional fields include per-item discount (% or flat) and per-item tax rate.
2
Pick a tax profile
Choose a default tax rate from the profile dropdown (e.g. 8.875% NYC, 7.25% CA, 0% NH) or set a custom rate.
3
Set a project budget
Enter a total budget and the summary card shows how much remains after each item. Useful for keeping quotes under client limits.
4
Use a template
Switch to the Templates tab to start from common project shapes (small renovation, IT setup, event catering) and edit from there.
5
Import / export CSV
Paste an existing item list as CSV or export your work for spreadsheet handoff. Headers are auto-detected.

Frequently asked questions

How is total cost calculated?

Subtotal = Unit price × Quantity. Apply discount (Subtotal − discount or Subtotal × (1 − discount%)). Then add tax: Total = Discounted subtotal × (1 + tax%). Sales tax is conventionally applied to the post-discount amount in most US jurisdictions.

Should I apply discount before or after tax?

Can I use this for invoicing?