SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/money-unit-price

Two jars of peanut butter, different sizes. Which number on the shelf tag shows the better deal?

The unit price, the price per ounce or other unit.

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  1. The total price
  2. The size in big print
  3. The unit price ✔

Why: Bigger isn't always cheaper. The unit price shows what you pay per ounce, so you can compare different sizes fairly. NIST calls it the best tool for comparing value.

Huh, didn't know that: Unit prices also help you spot 'shrinkflation,' when a package gets smaller but the price stays the same.

The dad joke
When the cashier asks Dad if he'd like the milk in a bag, he says, no, just leave it in the carton!
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References

Answer: The unit price. Bigger isn't always cheaper. The unit price shows what you pay per ounce, so you can compare different sizes fairly. NIST calls it the best tool for comparing value.

  1. The Unit Price is Right (NIST Taking Measure blog) www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/unit-price-right
    unit pricing, you know, those shelf labels that provide the price per unit of measure
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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