Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to a price, or work backward from a total — see the tax amount and final price instantly.
Updated 25 Jun 2026 · Free · No sign-up
US sales tax varies by state and city — combined rates range from 0% to around 10%+. Enter your local combined rate for an accurate result.
Sticker prices in the US usually don’t include sales tax, so the amount you actually pay at the register is higher than the tag. This sales tax calculator adds tax to any price to show your real total — or works backward from a total to find the pre-tax price and the tax portion, which is handy for receipts, expenses, and budgeting. Enter the amount and your local combined rate, and you’re done.
How sales tax works in the US
Unlike many countries where tax is built into displayed prices, US sales tax is added at checkout. The rate is a combined figure: a state rate plus, often, county and city rates, so two towns in the same state can charge different amounts. Combined rates range from 0% (a handful of states with no sales tax) to over 10% in some areas. To get an accurate total, enter the combined rate that applies where you’re buying.
The formulas
To add tax: Tax = Price × (Rate ÷ 100), and Total = Price + Tax. To work backward from a tax-inclusive total: Price before tax = Total ÷ (1 + Rate ÷ 100), and Tax = Total − Price. The reverse calculation is useful when you have a final receipt amount and need to separate out the tax — for expense reports or bookkeeping, for instance.
A worked example
Buying a $49.99 item where the combined sales tax is 7.25%: the tax is about $3.62 and your total is $53.61. Working backward, if a receipt total is $53.61 at 7.25% tax, the pre-tax price was $49.99 and the tax was $3.62. Switching modes lets you go either direction in seconds.
Where it helps
Use it to know the true cost before you buy, to check a receipt, to budget for a big purchase, or to separate tax for expenses and small-business bookkeeping. Sales tax is really just a percentage added on, so if you want to understand the underlying math, see our percentage calculator and the guide on how to calculate a percentage.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax on a price?
Multiply the price by the tax rate divided by 100 to get the tax, then add it to the price for the total. For a $49.99 item at 7.25%, the tax is about $3.62 and the total is $53.61. Use 'Add tax to a price' mode in the calculator.
How do I find the price before tax from a total?
Divide the tax-inclusive total by (1 + rate/100). For a $53.61 total at 7.25%, the pre-tax price is $53.61 ÷ 1.0725 = $49.99, and the tax was $3.62. Use the 'Find price before tax' mode — handy for receipts and expense reports.
What sales tax rate should I use?
Use the combined rate for where you're buying — the state rate plus any county and city rates. Combined US rates range from 0% to over 10%. Your local rate often appears on receipts, or your state revenue department publishes it. Enter that combined rate for an accurate result.
Do all US states charge sales tax?
No. A few states have no statewide sales tax, and many states exempt certain categories like groceries or clothing. Rates and rules vary widely by location, so always use your local combined rate. This calculator is for estimates and general information only.