Shrinkflation Calculator

Use our Shrinkflation Calculator to see how much more you really pay when a package gets smaller — even when the shelf price stays the same — by comparing the price per unit before and after.

Enter the price and size of the old and the new package, in the same unit. A product that cost $5.00 for 16 oz and now costs $5.00 for 14 oz has gone from $0.3125 to $0.3571 an ounce: an effective increase of 14.29%, with no change on the shelf. When the price rises too, the calculator splits the increase: $4.00 for 12 oz becoming $4.40 for 11 oz is 10% on the shelf, 9.09% from the smaller size and 0.91% from the two together — 20% in all.

It also shows the fair price — what the new package would cost at the old price per unit ($4.38 for the 14 oz package) — and the fair size for the new price. Add how many you buy a month to see what keeping the same amount costs over a year: buying 4 a month, the 14 oz packages cost $34.29 more a year, all of it hidden in the size.

The calculator compares quantity only — not quality, coupons or taxes — so treat the results as an estimate. To see how fast prices are rising across your whole budget, use our Personal Inflation Rate Calculator; to see how much of your spending growth is lifestyle, our Lifestyle Inflation Calculator. To check what a sale price was before the discount, or how much off it really is, try our Original Price Calculator.