The detailed guide below is currently available in English.
Markup versus margin
Markup starts from cost: it is the percentage added on top of what you paid. Margin starts from price: it is the percentage of the final price that is profit. Because price is always bigger than cost, the same dollars produce a bigger-looking markup — a 50% markup on a $100 item is a $50 profit, but that is 33.3% of the $150 price. Mixing the two up is the classic pricing mistake: “50% margin” prices an item at double cost, while “50% markup” leaves margin well below half.
Setting a markup that works
A markup has to cover more than the item itself: rent, labor, spoilage, returns, card fees, and the items you never sell all come out of the same pool of gross profit. Retail markups commonly run 50–100%, while groceries accept far less and jewelry expects far more. The useful check is whether margin × realistic volume covers your fixed costs — the break-even calculator turns that question into a number of units.
Repères pour la France
Les principaux repères locaux à connaître pour les calculs financiers en France – ils diffèrent nettement des normes américaines :
- TVA: Taux normal 20 %, intermédiaire 10 %, réduit 5,5 %, particulier 2,1 %. Les prix affichés sont toujours TTC (toutes taxes comprises).
- Impôt sur le revenu (barème 2025): Barème progressif par part : 0 % jusqu'à 11 497 €, puis 11 %, 30 %, 41 % et 45 % au-delà de 180 294 €, avec décote sous 19 174 € (célibataire).
- Cotisations sociales: Part salariale ≈ 22 % du brut (sécurité sociale, retraite, chômage) ; un salaire net correspond à environ 78 % du brut.
- SMIC 2025: 1 801,80 € brut par mois (≈ 1 426 € net) sur la base de 35 heures hebdomadaires.
- Pourboire: Le service est compris dans les prix en café-restaurant depuis 1982 ; arrondir l'addition reste un geste apprécié, sans obligation.
Mis à jour : octobre 2026 · valeurs 2025, sources officielles ci-dessus.
Questions fréquentes
How do I convert markup to margin?
Divide the markup by itself plus 100. A 50% markup becomes 50 ÷ 150 = 33.3% margin; a 100% markup is a 50% margin.
Can markup be negative?
Yes — clearance pricing often sells below cost. This calculator allows any markup above −100%, which is the point where the price itself would turn negative.
Does the revenue figure include taxes?
No. Revenue here is price × units before sales tax; add your local sales tax separately at the register or invoice level.