Unit price is the cost per single unit of measurement - per gram, per ml, per sheet, per piece etc. Comparing unit prices across pack sizes lets you find which size gives the most value per rupee spent.

Is the larger pack always cheaper per unit?

Usually, but not always. Bulk packs are often cheaper per unit, but check for promotions on smaller sizes. Also consider whether you'll actually use it before it expires.

How do I compare products in different units?

Convert to a common unit first. For example, to compare 500g at ₹80 vs 1.5kg at ₹220 - convert both to per-100g cost: ₹16 vs ₹14.67. The larger pack is cheaper per gram.

What units can I compare?

Any unit - grams, kg, ml, liters, pieces, sheets, meters, or custom. The calculator computes price ÷ quantity for each item and highlights the cheapest option.

How do supermarkets trick you with pack sizes?

Common supermarket pricing tricks: Selling 450g for Rs. 99 vs 500g for Rs. 115 - unit price Rs. 22/100g vs Rs. 23/100g, so the smaller pack is cheaper per unit despite higher absolute price. Multi-packs that appear cheaper but have a higher unit price than a single large pack. Price anchoring - placing an expensive item next to a mid-priced item makes the mid-price look cheap. Odd pricing - Rs. 499 feels much cheaper than Rs. 500 psychologically. Always use unit price comparison (price per gram, ml, or count) to make rational purchase decisions, regardless of promotional framing.

How do I compare products in different weight systems?

Always convert to the same unit before comparing. Enter both products with consistent units: a 500g pack at Rs. 80 and a 2 kg pack at Rs. 280 - enter both in grams (500g vs 2000g). The calculator computes Rs. 0.16/g vs Rs. 0.14/g. Quick mental check: multiply the smaller pack's unit price by the size ratio. If 500g costs Rs. 80, a 1.5 kg pack should cost no more than Rs. 240 (Rs. 80 x 3) to match the per-gram price. For liquids: compare per 100ml for small quantities (shampoo, oils) or per litre for larger volumes. The calculator handles any unit - g, kg, ml, L, pcs, sheets, or meters.

What is shrinkflation and how can I detect it?

Shrinkflation is when a manufacturer quietly reduces the quantity in a package while keeping the price the same or raising it slightly, making the effective price increase less visible. Examples: a biscuit packet shrinking from 200g to 180g at the same Rs. 30 price raises the per-100g cost from Rs. 15 to Rs. 16.67. A shampoo bottle going from 400 ml to 350 ml at the same price is an 14% effective price increase. Most consumers do not notice because the shelf price looks unchanged. By tracking price per gram or per ml over multiple shopping trips and comparing the net weight printed on the package, you can detect shrinkflation before it erodes your budget.

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Unit Price Comparator

Compare the price per unit of different product sizes or brands to find the best value for money.

About the Unit Price Comparator

Unit price comparison is the shopper's superpower. Supermarkets and apps rarely display price per 100g or per ml prominently - they rely on the confusion between pack sizes to steer buyers toward less economical choices. A 750ml cooking oil bottle at ₹120 looks cheaper than a 1L bottle at ₹150, but the unit prices are ₹16/100ml versus ₹15/100ml - the larger bottle is actually better value. This tool makes that comparison instant across any number of items.

Shrinkflation has made unit price awareness more important than ever. Many FMCG brands have quietly reduced pack sizes while keeping prices the same - a 500g biscuit pack becomes 450g, a 200ml shampoo becomes 180ml. Without calculating unit price, buyers do not notice the effective price increase. D-Mart's dominance in India is largely built on offering genuinely better unit prices across grocery categories, and training yourself to compare by unit price rather than pack price is the same discipline that makes D-Mart shoppers spend 10-15% less per household.

Online grocery platforms (BigBasket, Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart) mark up prices 15-30% over physical supermarket rates while offering convenience. For staples with a long shelf life - rice, dal, oil, detergent - buying in bulk at a physical store almost always beats quick commerce unit pricing. This calculator helps you quantify exactly how much the convenience premium costs per unit, so you can make an informed trade-off rather than an unconscious one.

Unit Price Comparison

Unit price = Total price / Quantity - Compare unit prices in the same unit after converting

Convert all to same unit before comparing: 500g vs 1.5kg - convert both to per 100g - Price per piece = total price / number of pieces - Price per litre = total price / volume in litres

Worked Example

Comparing 3 packs of atta: 2kg at ₹95, 5kg at ₹220, 10kg at ₹425

2 kg pack:₹95 = ₹47.5/kg

5 kg pack:₹220 = ₹44/kg

10 kg pack:₹425 = ₹42.5/kg

Cheapest per kg: 10 kg pack (₹42.5/kg) - But only better if you use it before it spoils - 5 kg vs 2 kg: saves ₹7/kg = ₹14 on each 2 kg purchase

Tips & Insights

1
Store-brand products at supermarkets are typically priced 20-30% lower per unit than national brands in the same category. For commodities like salt, sugar, refined oil, and basic detergent, the quality difference is negligible.
2
For perishables like fruits, vegetables, and dairy, the larger pack is not always better - factor in realistic consumption before buying. A 5 kg pack of tomatoes at ₹30/kg beats the ₹40/kg loose price only if you actually use all 5 kg.
3
Hygiene and personal care products (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, detergent) almost always have significantly better unit prices in larger packs. These have long shelf lives, so buying the biggest pack available is nearly always the right choice.
4
Quick commerce apps (Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart) typically charge 15-25% more per unit than a neighbourhood kirana or supermarket. Calculate unit price before assuming delivery convenience is worth the premium for frequently purchased items.
5
Combo packs marketed as 'value packs' are not always cheaper per unit. Calculate before trusting the 'save X%' claim on the packaging - sometimes the solo pack on offer is actually cheaper.
6
Subscription pricing on Amazon and Flipkart typically gives 5-15% off the regular per-unit price for products you buy regularly. For consumables with predictable usage, enabling 'Subscribe and Save' is an easy unit price reduction.
7
When comparing products of different concentrations - like 2x concentrated detergent vs regular - divide by the number of uses, not the volume. A 500ml bottle of 2x concentrate used at half the dose per wash is equivalent to 1 litre of regular, and should be evaluated at double the unit volume.

Why this matters for you

Indian households spend approximately 30-35% of monthly income on food and household goods. A consistent 8-10% reduction in per-unit cost across grocery and household purchases - achievable simply by choosing better-value pack sizes - translates to ₹2,000-₹5,000 per year for a typical middle-class family. Compounded over 10 years with the savings invested, that is a meaningful corpus from purely mechanical shopping decisions.

Shrinkflation is a hidden tax on consumers. FMCG companies regularly reduce pack sizes by 5-15% while keeping prices flat, creating an effective price increase that rarely gets media coverage. A family that compares unit prices is immune to this - they immediately notice when a 500g pack becomes 450g because the unit price calculation changes. This calculator is your shrinkflation detector.

The discipline of unit price comparison has a compounding effect on financial habits. Shoppers who regularly calculate best value per unit also tend to question subscription costs, compare insurance premiums per unit of coverage, and evaluate fuel efficiency per kilometre. It trains quantitative thinking that generalises across all value assessments. Starting with groceries is the lowest-friction way to build this habit.