Value / The planning notebook
Comparing pack prices fairly
A larger package can cost less per kilogram, but the arithmetic is only the first check.
Put both packs on the same basis
Divide each price by its net weight and express the answer per kilogram. If Pack A costs 120 and weighs 500 g, its unit price is 240 per kg. If Pack B costs 210 and weighs 1,000 g, its unit price is 210 per kg. Pack B is 30 cheaper per kilogram in this example.
The currency does not change the formula, provided both prices use the same currency. The calculator labels results as amounts per kg rather than assuming your location. Convert kilograms to grams before entering a weight: 2 kg is 2,000 g. Do not compare one entry in grams with another entered as kilograms.
Compare similar products
A lower unit price does not establish that two products are equivalent. Different grades, brands, usable quantities and ingredient formats can change the comparison. Boneless and bone-in products have different usable portions even if their listed weights match.
Use net weight, excluding the container and packaging. If a product includes liquid or an inedible component, check whether its label represents the quantity you intend to use. The calculator cannot infer that distinction or judge quality.
Include the real cost
Delivery fees and discounts can change the amount paid. For individual purchases, decide whether to include relevant fees in each input. If delivery covers an entire basket, allocating all of it to one item would distort the comparison. Keep your assumptions consistent.
A promotional price is useful only if it applies to the amount you will buy. Read conditions, including minimum quantities or membership requirements. This calculator does not retrieve offers or confirm availability. Enter the actual price available to you.
Buy the amount you can use
The cheapest unit price is not always the cheapest practical purchase. If you buy excess food and waste it, the cost of the portion you use rises. Compare savings with the likelihood of using the remaining amount in future meals.
A larger pack of a pantry item you use regularly may make sense. For an ingredient you rarely use, a smaller pack can keep the immediate bill lower. Record both unit price and total purchase price: they answer different questions. For a planned meal, compare the pack sizes against your ingredient list before deciding.
Compare two packs