The price tag on the grocery shelf includes a lot of helpful information. Learn what the numbers mean!

RETAIL PRICE

The price you pay for each item.

32 oz LF Yogurt Unit Price $0.05 per oz Retail Price $1.62 6 oz LF Yogurt Unit Price $0.12 per oz Retail Price $0.72

UNIT PRICE

The unit price will tell you how much an item costs per pound, ounce, quart, etc. It can be very useful when comparing two items!


Try it out!

The image below shows two different price tags. In the first one, the retail price is $1.00 for one 16 oz. can of pears. The unit price, in the circle, is $0.06 per oz. In the second one, the retail price is $1.35 for one 28 oz.can of pears, but the unit price is $0.04 per oz. Based on the unit price, you can determine that the larger, 28 oz. can of pears is the better buy because you are getting more for your money.

Canned pears, 16 ounces, costs $1.00 Unit Price $0.06 per ounce Canned pears, 28 ounces, costs $1.35 Unit Price $0.04 per ounce The bigger can is the better buy. It costs less per ounce.

HOW IS THE UNIT PRICE FOUND?

TOTAL PRICE ÷ SIZE = UNIT PRICE

Example: What is the unit price of a 16 oz. can of pears that has a retail price (the price you pay) of $1.00?

$1.00 ÷ 16 oz. = $0.06 

The unit price of this can of pears is $0.06 per oz.