Which pack is actually cheaper?
A 500 g pack at ₹95, a 1 kg pack at ₹175, a twin pack of 2 × 400 g at ₹150 and a 5 kg bag at ₹820 — which is the best deal? Pack sizes are designed to make this hard to judge in the aisle. The unit price comparison tool converts every option to a common basis (per kg, per litre, per piece or per metre), ranks them and highlights the cheapest, along with how much dearer each alternative is.
Formula
- Total quantity = Quantity per pack × Number of packs, converted to a base unit (g, ml, pcs, m)
- Unit price = Price ÷ Total quantity × 1000 (for per kg / per litre) or × 1 (per piece / per metre)
- Premium vs best = (Unit price ÷ Lowest unit price − 1) × 100
Worked example
From the four options above: 500 g at ₹95 = ₹190/kg; 1 kg at ₹175 = ₹175/kg; 2 × 400 g at ₹150 = ₹187.50/kg; 5 kg at ₹820 = ₹164/kg. The 5 kg bag is cheapest — 13.7% below the 500 g pack. But the 1 kg pack is only 6.7% dearer than the bulk bag, and may be the smarter buy if 5 kg would expire before use.
Units supported
Weight: mg, g, kg. Volume: ml, L. Count: pcs, dozen. Length: cm, m, ft. Items of different kinds (weight vs volume) are ranked in separate groups because they cannot be compared with each other. Mixed packs ("2 × 400 g") are handled with the Packs column.
Business uses
- Purchase departments comparing supplier quotes with different pack sizes and MOQ — pharmacies comparing strips vs bottles, hospitals comparing 500 ml vs 5 L disinfectant cans, kitchens comparing 1 kg vs 25 kg flour bags
- Retailers deciding which SKU to stock and checking that their own shelf unit-price labels are correct
- Households verifying supermarket "value pack" claims and online grocery offers
Legal Metrology note
Under the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, pre-packed retail goods in India must declare the unit sale price (per kg, per litre, per piece) alongside the MRP since 2022. This tool lets you verify that declaration, and compute it for your own packs if you are a manufacturer or packer.
Beyond the lowest unit price
The cheapest per-unit option is not always the right one. Consider shelf life, storage space, cash tied up in bulk stock, and whether the brands are genuinely equivalent in quality. The comparison table shows the rupee saving per pack so you can weigh it against those factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate price per kg?
Divide the price by the weight in grams and multiply by 1,000. ₹95 for 500 g = 95 ÷ 500 × 1000 = ₹190 per kg.
Can I compare items in different units like grams and millilitres?
The tool converts within a unit family (g↔kg, ml↔L) but will rank weight-based and volume-based items separately since they are not directly comparable.
Is the bigger pack always cheaper per unit?
Usually but not always — promotions on small packs sometimes undercut bulk sizes. Always check the unit price rather than assuming.
How do I compare a dozen eggs with a tray of 30?
Enter 1 dozen for the first and 30 pcs for the second; both convert to per-piece price automatically.
Disclaimer: This tool is for general information and estimation only. Tax rates and rules change — verify with official sources or a professional before acting. Read full disclaimer.