Free Unit Price Calculator: Which Size Is the Better Deal?
The bigger package isn't always cheaper per ounce, and sales can flip which size wins. Enter the price and size of up to three options to compare them by unit price.
It runs in your browser. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere. The numbers filled in below are a made-up example; change them to yours. Use the same unit (ounces, pounds, items, loads) for every option.
How the math works
- Unit price = price ÷ size. The lowest unit price is the better deal.
- Savings = (highest unit price − lowest unit price) × the size of the cheaper option.
- Many store shelf tags already show a unit price, but they don't always use the same unit for every size, so it's worth checking.
Example (made up): 16 oz for $3.49 is about $0.218 an ounce, 32 oz for $5.99 is about $0.187, and 48 oz for $9.49 is about $0.198. The 32 oz size is the better deal, about 14.2% less per ounce than the 16 oz, which saves about $0.99 compared with buying two of the small size.
A bigger package only saves money if you use it all. If half goes bad, the smaller size was cheaper.
Plan the shopping, not just the price
The Meal Plan + Grocery Budget ($5) is a spreadsheet with a 4-week meal plan, a grocery list by store section with estimated prices, a spending log and a budget tab that shows what's left each week, so you buy what your meals actually need. Prices are your own estimates. Works in Excel and Google Sheets.
Get the spreadsheet on Gumroad – $5
This template is also in the Complete Household Money Bundle (what's inside): all 13 home money spreadsheets for $29 (about $69 if bought one by one).
We make this template, so take that into account. The calculator above is free to use either way.
Related free guides
- How to Make a Grocery List That Stays on Budget
- How to Budget Groceries for One Person (Example Numbers)
- How to Meal Plan on a Grocery Budget
- How to Batch Cook on a Budget (Example Week)
More free tools: all calculators.
See all Cedar & Ledger templates