School Supply Budget Calculator
Estimate school supply costs by grade level and number of children.
Plan your back-to-school budget.
Estimated School Supply Cost
School supply costs vary significantly by grade level. This calculator uses national averages to estimate total spending.
Total Cost = Cost per Child (by grade) × Number of Children
Average supply costs by grade level (2025-2026):
- Pre-K / Kindergarten: $50–80 (basics: crayons, glue, backpack)
- Elementary (1st–5th): $80–150 (notebooks, supplies, backpack)
- Middle School (6th–8th): $120–200 (binders, tech accessories, specialized supplies)
- High School (9th–12th): $150–250 (calculators, supplies, tech needs)
- College/University: $200–400+ (textbooks not included)
Common required items by level:
- All grades: Backpack, pencils, notebooks, folders
- Elementary adds: Crayons, markers, glue sticks, scissors
- Middle school adds: Binders, dividers, highlighters, USB drive
- High school adds: Scientific/graphing calculator, planner, specialty supplies
Money-saving tips:
- Shop tax-free weekends (many states offer them in August)
- Buy generic/store brands — often 40-60% cheaper
- Check for school supply drives and donation programs
- Reuse items in good condition from previous years