California charges a 7.25% state sales tax, and with local city and county taxes the combined rate averages about 8.99% (higher in some cities). Enter an amount to add or remove tax instantly.
Need full city presets and a UK VAT mode? Use the full sales tax calculator.
Local taxes push the rate above the 7.25% state base. Typical combined rates in major CA cities:
| City | Combined sales tax rate |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 9.5% |
| San Francisco | 8.625% |
| San Diego | 7.75% |
| Sacramento | 8.75% |
Rates are representative averages and can change; always confirm the exact rate for your address at checkout.
Sales tax in California has two layers. The state sets a base rate of 7.25% that applies everywhere, and then cities, counties, and special districts can add their own local sales taxes on top. That's why the rate you actually pay depends on exactly where the sale takes place — the combined rate averages around 8.99% statewide but runs higher in the largest cities. When you check out, the retailer applies the combined rate for that specific address, so two stores a few miles apart can charge slightly different amounts of tax on the same item.
To add sales tax, convert the rate to a decimal and multiply. At the California average of 8.99%, a $100 purchase incurs $8.99 in tax for a total of $108.99. The formula is simply price × (rate ÷ 100) for the tax, then add it to the price. To work backwards from a tax-inclusive total — useful for expense reports and receipts — divide the total by 1 + (rate ÷ 100) to recover the pre-tax price, and the difference is the tax. The calculator above does both directions for any rate you enter.
Most tangible goods are taxable in California, but common exemptions reduce the bill on essentials. Many states wholly or partly exempt groceries and prescription medicine, and treat services, digital products, and clothing differently from one another. Because these rules vary, the safest approach for an exact figure is to use the combined rate for the purchase location and check the state's own list of exempt categories for anything unusual.
California's average combined rate of 8.99% is above the US average of about 7.5%, so sales tax adds up faster on big-ticket purchases here. At the 8.99% average combined rate, here's the tax and out-the-door total on typical purchases:
| Purchase price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25.00 | $2.25 | $27.25 |
| $100.00 | $8.99 | $108.99 |
| $500.00 | $44.95 | $544.95 |
| $1,000.00 | $89.90 | $1,089.90 |
| $5,000.00 | $449.50 | $5,449.50 |
Sales tax is only one piece of your overall tax picture. To see how your wages are taxed, try the income tax calculator or the take-home paycheck calculator, and compare states using the full sales-tax-by-state table. For everyday shopping math, the discount calculator pairs naturally with sales tax to show your true out-the-door price.
California's statewide sales tax rate is 7.25%. With local city and county taxes added, the average combined rate is about 8.99%, and it can be higher in some cities.
It varies by location. For example, Los Angeles is around 9.5% and San Francisco is about 8.625%. Use the calculator above with your exact local rate.
Multiply the price by the combined tax rate as a decimal. For a $100 purchase at 8.99%, the tax is $8.99, for a total of $108.99.
Divide the gross total by 1 plus the rate. At 8.99%, divide by 1.0899 to get the pre-tax price, and the remainder is the tax.