Enter the original offer amount (or asking price) and a discount rate into the calculator to estimate a price-based counter offer. On the “Counter Offer” tab, you can enter any two of the three fields (Original Offer, Discount/Markup Rate, Counter Offer) to calculate the third.

Counter Offer Calculator

Counter Offer
Meet in the Middle
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Note: Use a negative rate for a markup (increase) above the original offer.
Tip: Enter exactly two fields to calculate the third.

Related Calculators

Discount-Based Counter Offer Formula

The following formula is used to calculate a price-only counter offer when you want your offer to be a specific discount (or markup) from the original offer amount.

CO = O(1 - D)

Variables:

  • CO is the counter offer amount ($)
  • O is the original offer amount ($)
  • D is the discount/markup rate (decimal). For example, 0.20 means 20% off, and −0.10 means a 10% increase.

To calculate the counter offer, multiply the original offer amount by (1 − D). This gives the counter offer amount.

What is a Counter Offer?

A counter offer is a response given to an initial offer, indicating that the initial offer is not acceptable as it stands, but could be acceptable if certain changes are made. It is a common practice in various transactions such as real estate deals, business sales, and salary negotiations. A counter offer effectively rejects the original offer and puts a new offer on the table for consideration. Note that real-world counteroffers can change more than just price (for example, closing dates, contingencies, benefits, warranties, or delivery terms); this calculator models only the price change using a discount/markup rate.

How to Calculate Counter Offer?

The following steps outline how to calculate a price-based Counter Offer using the formula: CO = O(1 − D).


  1. First, determine the original offer amount ($).
  2. Next, determine the discount/markup rate (decimal). If you have a percent, divide by 100 to convert it to a decimal. Use a negative value if your counter offer is higher than the original offer (markup).
  3. Next, insert the values into the formula CO = O(1 − D).
  4. Finally, calculate the Counter Offer amount.
  5. After calculating the result, check your answer for accuracy.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Original offer amount ($) = 500

Discount rate (decimal) = 0.2

Counter offer (CO) = 500(1 − 0.2) = 500(0.8) = 400