CalculateY
Quick Answer
A 32 oz bottle at $3.99 costs $0.1247/oz, while a 16 oz bottle at $2.49 costs $0.1556/oz. The larger bottle is the better value by $0.0309 per ounce.
Common Examples
| Input | Result |
|---|---|
| $3.99 for 32 oz vs $2.49 for 16 oz | $0.1247/oz vs $0.1556/oz (32 oz is best value) |
| $5.49 for 64 oz vs $3.29 for 32 oz | $0.0858/oz vs $0.1028/oz (64 oz is best value) |
| $2.99 for 12 count vs $4.99 for 24 count | $0.2492/ea vs $0.2079/ea (24-count is best value) |
| $8.99 for 5 lb vs $1.99 for 1 lb | $1.798/lb vs $1.99/lb (5 lb is best value) |
How It Works
The Formula
Unit Price = Total Price / Quantity
To compare value across products, calculate the unit price for each item and identify the one with the lowest cost per unit. This works for any consistent unit of measurement: ounces, pounds, liters, count, or any other quantity.
Savings Calculation:
To find how much you save by choosing the best-value item, multiply the difference in unit prices by the quantity you plan to purchase.
Savings per unit = Higher unit price - Lower unit price
Important Considerations
Unit price comparison is only meaningful when items are measured in the same unit. Comparing dollars per ounce of one product to dollars per liter of another requires converting to a common unit first. This calculator compares items as entered, so make sure all items use the same unit for an accurate comparison.
Worked Example
Compare two bottles of olive oil. Bottle A costs $3.99 for 32 oz. Bottle B costs $2.49 for 16 oz.
Unit price of Bottle A: $3.99 / 32 = $0.1247 per oz.
Unit price of Bottle B: $2.49 / 16 = $0.1556 per oz.
Bottle A costs $0.0309 less per ounce ($0.1556 - $0.1247). Over 32 oz, that saves approximately $0.99 compared to buying the equivalent amount at Bottle B’s unit price. Bottle A is the better value.
When the Bigger Package Is Not Always Better
While larger quantities often have lower unit prices, this is not always the case. Some smaller packages are priced competitively, or larger packages carry a brand premium. Always calculate the unit price rather than assuming the bulk option is cheaper.