What is unit pricing?

Unit pricing is the cost of a product based on a standard unit of measurement (like per ounce, per pound, or per liter). It allows you to compare the true value of products of different sizes.

Is bulk always cheaper?

Not always! Stores often price bulk items higher, assuming shoppers won't check the math. Or they might have a sale on smaller packages. Always check the unit price to be sure.

Can I compare different units?

To get an accurate comparison, you must convert to the same unit (e.g., compare ounces to ounces). Our tool allows you to input different units and handles the conversion math for you.

Shoppers who consistently use unit pricing can save 20% or more on their grocery bills by avoiding deceptive packaging and marketing tricks.

Unit Price Calculator

Don't be fooled by packaging. Compare prices per unit to find the true best value.

Purchase Details

Product Price

Number of Installments

Interest Rate (Annual %)

Expected Inflation (Annual %)

Stop Overpaying for Groceries

Walking down the supermarket aisle, you're bombarded with choices. A 12oz box of cereal for $4.50 or a "Family Size" 18oz box for $7.00? A 6-pack of soda or a 2-liter bottle?

Marketing is designed to confuse you. Bright "Value Pack" stickers often hide a higher price per ounce. Our Unit Price Calculator cuts through the noise and tells you exactly which item gives you more product for your money.

The Math Behind the Savings

The formula is simple but powerful:

Price ÷ Quantity = Unit Price

Example:

Option A: $5.00 for 10 oz = $0.50 per oz
Option B: $8.00 for 20 oz = $0.40 per oz

Option B is the winner, saving you 20% per ounce. Over a year of grocery shopping, these small differences add up to hundreds of dollars.

Beware of "Shrinkflation"

📉 What is Shrinkflation?

It's a sneaky tactic where companies reduce the size of a product (e.g., from 16oz to 14.5oz) but keep the price exactly the same.

To the naked eye, the box looks the same size. But your wallet feels the difference. By checking the unit price, you can instantly spot when a "standard" package has quietly become more expensive.

When NOT to Buy Bulk

While unit pricing usually favors bulk buying, there are exceptions:

Perishables: Buying 10lbs of strawberries is a bad deal if half of them rot before you eat them. Food waste is the most expensive cost of all.
Storage Space: Do you have room for 48 rolls of toilet paper? The "warehousing cost" of your apartment matters.
Sales: Sometimes, a store will heavily discount the smaller package as a "loss leader," making it cheaper per unit than the bulk version. Always check!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I compare liquids vs. solids? ▼

You generally can't compare weight (ounces/grams) to volume (fluid ounces/liters) directly because density varies. However, for water-based liquids (like soda or milk), 1 gram is roughly 1 milliliter. It's best to compare like-for-like items.

Can I compare metric and imperial units? ▼

Yes! Our tool handles conversions. If Item A is in pounds and Item B is in kilograms, simply select the correct unit for each. The tool will normalize them to a common base unit to give you a fair comparison.

Does this work for non-food items? ▼

Absolutely. Use it for laundry detergent (price per load), toilet paper (price per sheet), diapers (price per diaper), or even batteries. Any product sold in varying quantities can be compared.

Is the "Value Pack" always a lie? ▼

Not always, but often enough to be skeptical. Studies have shown that up to 15-20% of "bulk" items at grocery stores are actually more expensive per unit than their smaller counterparts. Trust the math, not the label.