Profit Margin vs. Markup — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on September 20, 2023
Profit Margin is the percentage of revenue that represents a company's profit. Markup is the percentage increase in the cost of a product to determine its selling price.
Difference Between Profit Margin and Markup
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Profit Margin is calculated by dividing net profit by revenue, then multiplying by 100 to get a percentage. It's an indicator of a company's profitability and is often used to compare performance over time or against competitors. Markup, in contrast, is calculated by taking the difference between the selling price and the cost of goods, divided by the cost of goods, then multiplied by 100 to get a percentage. Markup is commonly used to set the selling price of goods.
In retail, Profit Margin can be viewed as what's left after all costs have been accounted for, including both the cost of goods sold (COGS) and other operational expenses. Markup, however, is just about the product itself—it doesn't take into account other operational costs.
Profit Margin is often used by external analysts to assess the overall health of a business. A high Profit Margin indicates a more profitable company. Markup is generally used internally to ensure that prices are set in a way that covers costs and ensures a profit.
Profit Margin can fluctuate due to various factors including economic conditions, competitive pricing, and operational efficiency. Markup is more directly controllable by a business, as it's a pricing strategy, but it can also be influenced by market conditions like supply and demand.
Comparison Chart
Calculation Basis
Revenue
Cost of Goods
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Scope
Entire Business
Individual Product
Usage
External and Internal Analysis
Mostly Internal
Factors
Multiple Factors
Primarily Cost of Goods
Relation to Price
Not Direct
Direct
Compare with Definitions
Profit Margin
Comparative Measure
Their Profit Margin is better than the industry average.
Markup
Price Increaser
The Markup on the product was 20%, making it more expensive.
Profit Margin
Profit Indicator
A high Profit Margin suggests a profitable business.
Markup
Cost-Based
Markup is calculated based on the cost of goods.
Profit Margin
Economic Barometer
The Profit Margin decreased due to economic downturn.
Markup
Internal Metric
The company uses Markup for internal pricing strategies.
Profit Margin
Efficiency Gauge
The rising Profit Margin shows operational efficiency.
Markup
Demand Influencer
High Markup could deter customers if demand is elastic.
Profit Margin
Revenue Percentage
The company's Profit Margin is 30%, indicating healthy revenue.
Markup
A raise in the price of an item for sale.
Markup
An amount added to a cost price in calculating a selling price, especially an amount that takes into account overhead and profit.
Markup
A session of a US congressional committee at which a legislative bill is put into final form.
Markup
The collection of detailed stylistic instructions written on a manuscript that is to be typeset.
Markup
(Computers) The collection of tags that describe the specifications of an electronic document, as for formatting.
Markup
The percentage or amount by which a seller hikes up his buy-in price when determining his selling price.
You don’t make much money selling gas because the markup is so low.
Markup
An increase in price.
There will be a markup on those products next week; better buy them now.
Markup
(computing) The notation that is used to indicate the meaning of the elements in an electronic document, or to dictate how text should be displayed.
Markup
(US politics) The process by which proposed legislation is debated and amended.
Markup
The amount added to the cost to determine the asking price.
Markup
Instructions for the typesetter that are written on the copy (e.g. underlining words that are to be set in italics).
Markup
Changes in proposed legislation drafted in conference, as contrasted with changes resulting from the amendment process.
Markup
The amount added to the cost to determine the asking price
Markup
Detailed stylistic instructions for typesetting something that is to be printed; manual markup is usually written on the copy (e.g. underlining words that are to be set in italics)
Markup
Retail Term
In retail, Markup helps determine the final selling price.
Common Curiosities
What is Profit Margin?
Profit Margin is the percentage of revenue that is profit.
How is Profit Margin calculated?
Profit Margin is calculated as (Net Profit / Revenue) x 100.
What is Markup?
Markup is the percentage increase in cost to set a selling price.
Where is Profit Margin most commonly used?
Profit Margin is commonly used in financial analysis and reporting.
Can a high Profit Margin indicate business health?
Yes, a high Profit Margin generally indicates a healthy business.
Does Markup consider operational costs?
No, Markup only considers the cost of goods.
Is Profit Margin used for individual products?
Profit Margin can be calculated for individual products but is often used for the entire business.
Where is Markup most commonly used?
Markup is commonly used in retail and wholesale pricing strategies.
Is Markup affected by market conditions?
Yes, Markup can be affected by supply and demand.
Is Profit Margin affected by market conditions?
Yes, economic conditions can affect Profit Margin.
How is Markup calculated?
Markup is calculated as ((Selling Price - Cost) / Cost) x 100.
Does Profit Margin consider operational costs?
Yes, Profit Margin takes into account all costs, including operational.
Can Profit Margin and Markup be the same?
No, they are calculated differently and serve different purposes.
Is Markup used for individual products?
Yes, Markup is typically applied to individual products.
Does Markup affect Profit Margin?
Yes, a higher Markup can contribute to a higher Profit Margin.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
