Sales Tax Calculator
Sales tax in the United States is added at the register, not built into the shelf price, so the number you actually pay depends on a rate that changes from one place to the next. This calculator makes the math instant: you enter the price of an item and the sales tax rate that applies where you are buying, and it returns the tax due and the full total. The method is the simplest in retail. Tax is the price multiplied by the rate expressed as a decimal, and the total is the price plus that tax. Because there is no national sales tax in the United States and combined state, county, city and district rates can differ even within a single ZIP code, the rate field is left fully editable for you to enter the exact combined figure that applies to your purchase. Remember that many states exempt groceries, prescription medicine or some clothing, so leave exempt items out of the price field if they are not taxed where you shop. If you instead have a tax-inclusive total, our tax-inclusive price calculator reverses the step. Every figure here is computed deterministically from your two inputs, and the worked example below reconciles exactly to the calculator.
Sales tax is the price times the rate, added to the price: tax = price x rate, total = price + tax. A $250.00 purchase at a 7.25% rate carries $18.13 in tax for a $268.13 total.
Sales tax formula
tax = P x r
total = P + tax
P = price before tax
r = sales tax rate as a decimal
The tax is a flat percentage of the taxable price, and the total simply adds that tax on top. Converting the rate from a percentage to a decimal means dividing by 100 before multiplying.
Worked example
An item costs 250 dollars and the combined sales tax rate is 7.25 percent.
- Convert the rate: 7.25% = 0.0725
- Tax: 250 x 0.0725 = 18.13 (rounded)
- Total: 250 + 18.13 = 268.13
The total with tax is 268.13. These are the calculator's default inputs, so the result above matches the widget exactly.
Tax on common prices
Sales tax amount at a few rates for a range of prices.
| Price | 5% | 7.25% | 9% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $2.50 | $3.63 | $4.50 |
| $100 | $5.00 | $7.25 | $9.00 |
| $250 | $12.50 | $18.13 | $22.50 |
| $500 | $25.00 | $36.25 | $45.00 |
Sales and use tax is set by state and local governments: US Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Sales tax calculator: frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax on a purchase?
Multiply the price by the sales tax rate written as a decimal, then add the result to the price for the total. Tax equals price times rate, and total equals price plus tax. On a 250 dollar item at a 7.25 percent rate, the tax is 18.13 and the total is 268.13.
What sales tax rate should I enter?
Use the combined state and local rate that applies where the sale takes place. Rates differ by state, county and city, and some places add district taxes, so a single ZIP code can have its own combined rate. The rate is left editable because there is no national US sales tax rate.
Is sales tax charged on every item?
No. Many states exempt groceries, prescription medicine and some clothing, and rules vary widely. This calculator applies your entered rate to whatever taxable amount you type, so exclude exempt items from the price field if they are not taxed in your jurisdiction.
How do I find the price before tax from a total?
Divide the tax-inclusive total by one plus the rate as a decimal. For a 268.13 total at 7.25 percent, divide by 1.0725 to get back to about 250.00. Our tax-inclusive price calculator does this reverse step for you.
Does the United States have a federal sales tax?
No. The United States has no national sales tax. Sales and use taxes are imposed at the state and local level, which is why rates and exemptions vary so much across the country. Check your state revenue department for the exact rate and rules.
Official sources
- Federal tax administration and taxpayer guidance: US Internal Revenue Service (IRS). As at 25 June 2026.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 25 June 2026. See our methodology. This is general information, not financial, tax, legal or investment advice.