How the calculator works
It uses the same math as the recipe cards in Bakery Pricing Studio. Everything is per box, assuming one box per order, before tax. The guide on how to price baked goods explains each step.
Cost per box = (ingredients + your time + other costs) ÷ boxes per recipe + packaging
Minimum price = (cost per box + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − payment fee %)
Price for your margin = (cost per box + fixed fee) ÷ (1 − payment fee % − margin %)
Left at your price = price × (1 − payment fee %) − fixed fee − cost per box
Prices are rounded up to the next cent, so the minimum never falls short of your costs.
Worked example: a box of 6 chocolate chip cookies
These are the fictional numbers the calculator starts with.
| Item | For the recipe (24 cookies) | Per box of 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | 8.40 | 2.10 |
| Your time | 45 minutes at 12.00 an hour = 9.00 | 2.25 |
| Other costs | 1.20 | 0.30 |
| Packaging | 1.10 per box | 1.10 |
| Cost per box | 5.75 | |
| Minimum price (fees 4% + 0.30) | (5.75 + 0.30) ÷ 0.96 | 6.31 |
| Price for a 40% margin | (5.75 + 0.30) ÷ 0.56 | 10.81 |
| Left at a price of 12.00 | 12.00 × 0.96 − 0.30 − 5.75 | 5.47 |
Margin is not markup
Adding 40% to your cost is a 40% markup: 5.75 × 1.40 = 8.05. After the 4% + 0.30 payment fees, 1.68 is left, a margin of about 21%. To keep 40% of the price, this box needs 10.81. If you have been pricing with a markup, this is often where the money goes.
Free calculator or Bakery Pricing Studio?
| Free calculator | Bakery Pricing Studio | |
|---|---|---|
| Recipes | One at a time; only your last numbers are remembered, in this browser | Up to 20 recipe cards in your own Google Sheet |
| Ingredient costs | You work out the batch cost and type it in | Save each purchase once; every recipe that uses it updates when the price changes |
| Order quotes | Not included | Quote builder with the fixed payment fee counted once per order |
| Your own prices | Check one price at a time | Your price, the minimum and the target side by side on every card |
| Cost | Free | USD 3.50 once, instant download on Etsy |
What this free calculator leaves out
It needs the ingredient cost for the whole recipe. Working that out from what you paid for each bag of flour or block of butter is the slow part, and it changes every time prices go up. The free recipe cost calculator works it out from your package prices and sends the result here.
Bakery Pricing Studio does that part for you
Save each ingredient purchase once and every recipe card updates when a price changes. Weights convert between g, kg, oz and lb. Keep up to 20 recipe cards, compare your own price with the minimum and the target, and quote custom orders with the fixed fee counted once per order.
Questions
How do I price cookies by the dozen?
Set "Pieces per box" to 12 and enter the packaging you use for a dozen. The per-dozen figure under the margin price is only a quick comparison, because it keeps the packaging of your current box. Worked examples: how much to charge for a dozen cookies.
How do I find my cost per cookie?
Work out what the whole recipe costs with the free recipe cost calculator, then divide by the number of cookies it makes. Here, enter the recipe cost and the number of cookies, and the calculator splits it into boxes for you.
How do I price decorated cookies?
Enter the full batch time, including decorating, in "Active work time". The guide on decorated sugar cookie pricing compares simple, medium and detailed designs.
Should I include my time if baking is a side business?
Yes, if you want the price to pay you for the work. With 0 minutes or a 0 hourly rate, the price only covers ingredients, packaging and fees, and your time is free.
What margin should I aim for?
There is no single right number. The 40% in the example is a sample target, not a recommendation. Compare the result with what customers in your area pay, and never sell below the minimum price.
Does it work for brownies, cupcakes or a whole cake?
Yes. Enter how many pieces the recipe makes and how many go in each box. For a whole cake, use 1 piece per recipe and 1 per box. Worked example: how much to charge for cupcakes.
Does it include taxes or marketplace fees?
No. Results are before tax. The payment fee boxes are for what each customer payment costs you, such as a card reader or an online checkout. If you sell through a marketplace, you can enter its percentage and fixed fee there as an estimate.
Are my numbers saved or sent anywhere?
The calculator runs in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. Your numbers stay in this browser so they are there next time; "Reset example" clears them.
Next: read how to price cookies step by step or how to price holiday cookie boxes.