Find the price per unit instantly. Compare two products to see which gives you the best deal.
Enter details for two products. We will tell you which is the better value per unit.
The unit price is the cost of a product per single unit of measurement such as per ounce, per gram, per liter, per tablet, or per sheet. It is the single most useful number for comparison shopping because it lets you evaluate products of different sizes on equal terms.
For example, a 24 oz bottle of shampoo priced at $5.99 and a 40 oz bottle priced at $8.99 look very different on the shelf label. But when you calculate the unit price, the first works out to $0.25 per oz and the second to $0.22 per oz, meaning the larger bottle is about 10% cheaper per oz despite costing $3 more upfront.
Knowing the unit price lets you cut through marketing tactics like "new smaller pack" or inflated packaging and make a genuinely informed purchase decision.
The formula is simple:
The result is expressed as price per unit, for instance $0.18 per oz or $0.03 per tablet.
You can also reverse the formula. If you know the unit price and the quantity, multiply them to find the total price:
Choosing between two cereal brands:
Brand B is cheaper per oz even though the total price is higher. If you eat cereal regularly, Brand B saves you money.
The 12-roll pack is about 12% cheaper per sheet, a meaningful saving on a product you buy repeatedly.
If the expiry date is far enough out, the large bottle saves you 17% per dose.
Benchmark unit prices for everyday products. "Budget" is a typical store-brand price; "Premium" is a name-brand average. Approximate US averages as of 2025.
| Product | Budget Unit Price | Premium Unit Price | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole milk | $0.08 | $0.14 | per fl oz |
| Olive oil | $0.25 | $0.60 | per fl oz |
| White rice (dry) | $0.06 | $0.18 | per oz |
| Pasta (dry) | $0.07 | $0.22 | per oz |
| Chicken breast | $0.18 | $0.38 | per oz |
| Laundry detergent | $0.09 | $0.25 | per fl oz |
| Paper towels | $0.007 | $0.018 | per sheet |
| Toilet paper | $0.005 | $0.015 | per sheet |
| Shampoo | $0.12 | $0.45 | per fl oz |
| Ibuprofen 200mg | $0.04 | $0.18 | per tablet |
| Coffee (ground) | $0.35 | $0.95 | per oz |
| Orange juice | $0.09 | $0.19 | per fl oz |
Supermarkets make money from size confusion. Same product, different pack sizes, different prices. Unit price cuts through this instantly. Focus especially on cleaning supplies, pantry staples, dairy, beverages, and paper products.
Amazon and other platforms sell the same product in 3 to 10 different quantities. The auto-suggested Subscribe and Save option is not always the cheapest. Run the unit price on each option before subscribing.
Costco and Sam's Club are usually but not always cheaper per unit. Perishables with a short shelf life may end up wasted, making the warehouse price effectively higher. Check the unit price and only buy bulk if you will use it in time.
Generic medications contain the same active ingredient as name brands. A generic 200mg ibuprofen at $0.04 per tablet is medically equivalent to the brand at $0.18 per tablet. The unit price makes this 4.5x price difference undeniable.
Unit price is the baseline, but cost per use is sometimes more relevant. A concentrated cleaning spray may have a higher unit price per fl oz but produce many more uses per bottle than a diluted version. Similarly, a more absorbent paper towel may be pricier per sheet but cheaper per cleaning job.
The smart shopping hierarchy:
Unit price is the cost per single unit of measurement such as per ounce, per gram, per liter, or per item. It lets you compare products of different sizes to find the best value for your money.
Divide the total price by the quantity: Unit Price = Total Price / Quantity. For example, if a 32 oz bottle costs $4.00, the unit price is $4.00 / 32 = $0.125 per oz.
Bigger packages often seem more expensive upfront but are cheaper per unit. Comparing unit prices reveals the true value and can save you 20-50% on groceries and household products over time.
Not always. While bulk buying is usually cheaper per unit, sales and coupons on smaller sizes can flip the equation. Always check the unit price before assuming bigger is better.
Yes. The calculator works with any unit of measurement including weight (oz, g, kg, lb), volume (ml, l, fl oz), or count (items, sheets, tablets).
Total price is the full amount you pay at checkout. Unit price is the cost broken down per single unit of measurement. Unit price is the useful number for comparison shopping.
In the US, EU, and many other countries, stores display unit prices on shelf labels. Look for small text below the product price showing cost per oz, per 100g, per liter, etc.
Absolutely. Shoppers who compare unit prices save an average of 10-30% on their grocery bills. The most savings come from cleaning products, paper goods, and pantry staples.