Worked example
Two discounts apply to different bases. Start with a price of 100. A 20% discount leaves 80; a second 20% discount removes 16 and leaves 64. The total reduction is 36%, not 40%.
Method
Use remaining-price multipliers: final price = original price × (1 − first discount/100) × (1 − second discount/100). Subtract the final price from the original before computing the overall percentage reduction.
Check the assumptions
An added 40% discount leaves 60 from a starting price of 100. Successive 20% discounts leave 64. Check whether a retailer applies each discount to the current price, whether any cap applies, and whether taxes or shipping are excluded.
Try your own values
Use the successive discounts calculator to test your inputs. Save two scenarios to compare results, or copy an input link to revisit your calculation.
For a shorter explanation, read the direct answer. Compare the underlying quantities in the comparison.
