DIY Cost Tools
Menu Price Calculator
Estimate a menu price from plate cost and target food-cost percentage, with tax-inclusive price and gross margin.
How to use this calculator
- Replace the example values with your own measurements or planning assumptions.
- Keep every value in the unit printed beside its field.
- Select Calculate and review the result together with the formula and limitations below.
Formula and method
Price before tax equals food cost divided by the target food-cost fraction. Tax-inclusive price multiplies by one plus the sales-tax rate.
Results are hidden whenever an input changes or validation fails, so an old answer cannot be mistaken for a current calculation.
Worked example
Plate or recipe cost = 4.25 $; Target food-cost percentage = 30 %; Sales tax = 6 %. The calculator returns Price before tax = $14.17; Price including tax = $15.02; Gross profit before overhead = $9.92; Gross margin = 70%.
The worked example uses the same default values displayed in the calculator.
Limitations and safety
Frequently asked questions
Is food-cost percentage the same as profit margin?
No. Food-cost percentage covers the entered food cost only; gross margin shown here is before labor, rent, fees, and other overhead.
Why might the real result differ?
This is a planning model, not accounting or tax advice. Labor, rent, fees, discounts, spoilage, local taxes, and desired net profit must be considered separately.
How should I round the answer?
Keep extra precision while planning, then round up when purchasing whole containers, bags, pieces, or stock lengths. Follow the output labels and supplier packaging.
Review notes and reference
Reviewed October 4, 2026. The formula was checked against the displayed worked example, and the script was tested for defaults, boundaries, invalid formats, condition-specific errors, and recovery. Reference: USDA FSIS safe food handling guidance. Explanations and examples are original.