Shrinkflation Calculator
Calculate the real price increase when a product gets smaller but the price stays the same or goes up.
Original Product
New / Current Product
Effective Price Increase
+18.5%
per oz despite same or similar sticker price
Old Price / oz
$0.2681
New Price / oz
$0.3178
Size Change
-15.6%
Extra Cost / oz
+$0.0497
These results are estimates for informational purposes only. Actual costs may vary.
What this calculator tells you
When a bag of chips goes from 10 oz to 8.5 oz at the same price, that is shrinkflation. The sticker price looks the same, but you are getting less. This calculator shows the real percentage price increase hidden inside a smaller package.
Issues With calculators are deterministic tools, not AI guesses. Your result is calculated from the numbers you enter using the formula shown below, and the inputs stay in your browser.
How this calculator works
Enter the original product's price and size, then the new product's price and size. Select the unit (oz, g, count, etc.). The calculator computes the price per unit for each version and shows the effective price increase hidden inside the smaller package.
Check the back of a package for the net weight and compare it against an older receipt or product photo. Even a 10–15% size reduction at the same price is a meaningful stealth price hike.
The formula
Old Unit Price = Old Price ÷ Old Size
New Unit Price = New Price ÷ New Size
Size Change % = ((New Size − Old Size) ÷ Old Size) × 100
Effective Price Increase % = ((New Unit Price − Old Unit Price) ÷ Old Unit Price) × 100
Extra Cost per Unit = New Unit Price − Old Unit Price
Example
A bag of chips: same $4.29 price, but the bag shrank from 16 oz to 13.5 oz.
- Old unit price: $0.2681/oz
- New unit price: $0.3178/oz
- Size reduction: −15.6%
- Effective price increase: +18.5%
The sticker price looks unchanged, but you're paying 18.5% more per ounce.
Frequently asked questions
What is shrinkflation? +
Shrinkflation is when a company reduces the size or quantity of a product while keeping the price the same (or even raising it slightly). It's a form of hidden inflation that's harder to notice than a direct price hike.
How do I find the old package size? +
Old receipts, product review history on retailer sites, and consumer shrinkflation tracking databases (like the Shrinkflation Index) can help. Grocery loyalty apps also sometimes show purchase history with product weights.
Which products shrink most? +
Chips, crackers, cereal, ice cream, toilet paper, and chocolate bars are frequent targets. Anything with a package that can be made physically smaller or where a "family size" can be quietly redefined.
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