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Buy 2 Get 1 Free Calculator

A gentler multi-buy mechanic than classic BOGO — customers pay for 2 units and receive a 3rd free, an effective 33.3% discount on merchandise value.

Advanced: fees & shipping
Contribution profit per order
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Customer pays
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Margin
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Effective discount
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vs. one regular-price sale
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Volume uplift needed
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How it works

Formulas used

Revenue = 2 × Unit price Units delivered = 3 Product cost = 3 × Unit cost Effective discount = 1 − (2P / 3P) = 33.33%

Worked example

$30 unit price, $8 unit cost, no fees:

Buy 2 Get 1 Free is generally less profit-damaging per order than classic BOGO, since only one-third of units are given away rather than half.

Related calculators

BOGO Profit Calculator
Compare against the more aggressive buy-1-get-1 mechanic.
Bundle Pricing Calculator
Price a fixed-price bundle for any quantity.
Promotion Profit Calculator
Compare every promotion type at once.

Frequently asked questions

How does this compare to a straight 33% discount?

They can have similar effective discount percentages, but Buy 2 Get 1 Free requires a 3-unit basket, which changes both unit economics and typical order value.

Assess a three-unit offer as a bundle

Buy 2 Get 1 Free creates a 33.3% merchandise discount, but the real margin depends on all three unit costs and the order-level fees. It can outperform classic BOGO when the higher basket requirement is realistic.

Validate the basket

  • Compare the three-unit contribution with the profit from the customer’s normal basket.
  • Measure how many shoppers already buy two units without an incentive.
  • Test whether a fixed-price three-pack communicates value more clearly.

Before publishing

  • The free unit still carries product, pick, pack and possible shipping cost.
  • Mix-and-match rules can shift buyers toward the most expensive eligible item.
  • High basket thresholds can reduce conversion even when the unit economics look good.