Margin vs Markup Formulas:
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Margin and markup are two different ways of expressing profit relative to either the selling price (margin) or the cost price (markup). While related, they represent different perspectives on profitability.
The calculator uses these fundamental equations:
Where:
Key Difference: Margin shows profit as a percentage of the selling price, while markup shows profit as a percentage of the cost.
Details: Knowing both metrics helps in pricing strategy, financial analysis, and understanding true profitability. Margin is more commonly used in financial reporting, while markup is often used in pricing decisions.
Tips: Enter both price and cost in USD. Price must be greater than or equal to cost. The calculator will show both margin and markup percentages.
Q1: Why are margin and markup percentages different?
A: They use different denominators (price vs cost), so the same dollar profit shows different percentages.
Q2: Which is better to use?
A: It depends on context. Margin shows profitability relative to sales, while markup shows pricing strategy relative to cost.
Q3: How do I convert markup to margin?
A: Margin = Markup / (1 + Markup). For example, 50% markup = 33.33% margin.
Q4: What's a good margin percentage?
A: Varies by industry. Typical retail margins range from 5-20%, while software might have 70-90% margins.
Q5: Can markup be over 100%?
A: Yes, markup can exceed 100% when the selling price is more than double the cost.