Percentage Off vs. Dollar Off: Which Saves More?

The formula

To compare a percentage-off coupon to a dollar-off coupon, find the cart total where they're equal:

Breakeven = Dollar amount ÷ (Percentage ÷ 100)

If your cart is above this number, use the percentage coupon. If your cart is below it, use the dollar coupon.

Worked examples

Example 1: $10 off vs 20% off

Breakeven = $10 ÷ 0.20 = $50

• Cart is $40: 20% off saves $8. $10 off saves $10. Dollar off wins.
• Cart is $50: 20% off saves $10. $10 off saves $10. Tie.
• Cart is $80: 20% off saves $16. $10 off saves $10. Percentage off wins.

Example 2: $25 off vs 15% off

Breakeven = $25 ÷ 0.15 = $166.67

• Cart is $120: 15% off saves $18. $25 off saves $25. Dollar off wins.
• Cart is $200: 15% off saves $30. $25 off saves $25. Percentage off wins.

Example 3: $5 off vs 10% off

Breakeven = $5 ÷ 0.10 = $50

• Cart is $35: 10% off saves $3.50. $5 off saves $5. Dollar off wins.
• Cart is $75: 10% off saves $7.50. $5 off saves $5. Percentage off wins.

The quick mental shortcut

For common coupon combinations, here are the breakeven points to memorize:

• $5 off vs 10% off: Breakeven at $50
• $10 off vs 10% off: Breakeven at $100
• $10 off vs 20% off: Breakeven at $50
• $15 off vs 15% off: Breakeven at $100
• $20 off vs 25% off: Breakeven at $80
• $25 off vs 20% off: Breakeven at $125

If your cart is above the breakeven, pick percentage. If below, pick dollar. If you're at the breakeven exactly, it doesn't matter — they save the same amount.

What if you have both and can stack them?

If a store lets you use both coupons, the order matters. Apply the percentage-off coupon first (when the total is highest) to maximize the dollar savings from that percentage. Then apply the dollar-off coupon. Use our Coupon Stacking Optimizer to calculate the best order automatically.

Watch out for minimum spend

Some coupons have a minimum cart total. A "$10 off $50+" coupon is only 20% off at exactly $50, but only 10% off at $100. The effective percentage decreases as your cart grows. A "20% off" coupon with no minimum always saves the same proportion regardless of cart size. Factor in minimum spend when comparing.