Unit Rate Calculator
Calculate the price per unit or compare two rates to find the better deal.
Essential for grocery shopping and cost comparisons.
Unit Rate
Unit rate is the cost (or quantity) per single unit:
Unit Rate = Total Cost / Total Quantity
Comparing two options: Calculate the unit rate for each, then compare — the lower unit rate is the better deal.
Common examples:
| Scenario | Unit Rate |
|---|---|
| $4.99 for 64 oz juice | $0.078/oz |
| $3.49 for 32 oz juice | $0.109/oz |
| $12.99 for 10 lbs dog food | $1.30/lb |
| Gas at $3.50/gallon, car gets 30 mpg | $0.117/mile |
Shopping tips:
- Bigger is not always cheaper per unit — always check
- Store brands often have 20–40% lower unit prices
- Unit prices are usually displayed on shelf labels
- Buying in bulk saves money only if you use it all before it expires
Other unit rate applications:
- Speed: miles per hour
- Wages: dollars per hour
- Fuel economy: miles per gallon
- Population density: people per square mile