What is markup?

Markup is the additional amount added to the wholesale cost of a good or service to determine its selling price. 

In simple words, markup is the difference between what a seller spends to produce an item and the price they sell it for. This difference allows the seller to cover their expenses and generate a profit.

There are two ways to calculate markup:

1. Markup rate (%) = (Selling price – Wholesale cost) / Wholesale cost * 100%
2. Markup on cost (%) = Markup amount / Wholesale cost * 100%

NOTE
Markup is usually confused with profit margin. While markup represents the percentage increase over the wholesale cost, profit margin reflects the percentage of profit earned relative to the selling price; and it considers all business expenses, not just the cost of goods sold.

Frequently asked questions

How does markup impact pricing decisions?

Markup plays a crucial role in setting selling prices. Businesses consider factors like desired profit margin, competitor pricing, and market demand when determining an appropriate markup percentage.