Continue your plan
Useful next calculations
When to use this calculator
- Before pricing a job, setting margin targets or reviewing hiring costs.
- When you want to test sensitivity around volume, tax, markup or overheads.
- When you need a practical estimate before committing to a budget or proposal.
- When you are modelling break-even volume as costs or prices change.
A realistic South Africa planning example
Use these sample inputs as a quick scenario test, then change one variable at a time to compare outcomes.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost Price (R) | R0.30 |
| Markup (%) | 30 |
After entering these figures, focus on result first and then rerun the tool with a more cautious assumption.
How to read your results
Result
The figure produced by this output for the inputs you entered. Change one variable at a time if you want to see what drives it.
Method & assumptionsAuthoritative sources
Markup is calculated as: (Selling Price − Cost) ÷ Cost × 100. To find a selling price from a desired markup, multiply the cost by (1 + markup rate). This is distinct from margin, which divides profit by selling price. The calculator lets you work in either direction: enter a cost and desired markup to find your selling price, or enter cost and selling price to find the implied markup.
UK businesses should work on VAT-exclusive figures wherever possible, as VAT collected is not part of your trading profit. The calculator does not include overheads in the cost figure — if you want to price for full-cost recovery, you will need to allocate a share of fixed costs to each unit before entering the cost. For businesses subject to Making Tax Digital, your accounting software should track margins at line-item level to support accurate reporting.
Common mistakes
- !Using an assumption that is not supported by a current local quote, bill, statement or official source.
- !Treating a generic estimate as a lender, provider, payroll or tax authority decision.
- !Mixing monthly and annual inputs without converting them consistently.
- !Testing only one scenario instead of checking how a cautious assumption changes the result.
What to do next
- Run a second scenario with a cautious assumption so you can see the downside clearly.
- Compare the result with the related calculators below before making a decision.
- Check current local rules, eligibility and provider terms before applying or committing money.
- Keep a record of the assumptions so you can update the estimate when a quote, bill or pay figure changes.
Frequently asked
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