Case price vs. unit price
By Marji · Updated · Sources and editorial policy
Also called: unit price · case price
Case price is the total price of one case or package. Unit price is that amount divided by the quantity inside: dollars per pound, litre or individual item. A $48 case containing 12 lb costs $4 per pound. Compare supplier quotes in the same unit before deciding which is cheaper.
Cost per weight or volume unit
Unit price = Case price ÷ (Packs per case × Quantity per pack)
Use the same measurement unit throughout. Twelve 12 oz packs contain 144 oz, or 9 lb. For a count-based item, divide the case price by the number of items instead.
Worked example · Example: the same $48 case price, different pack sizes
- Quote A — 12 × 1 lb packs
- 12 lb per case
- Quote A — $48 ÷ 12 lb
- $4.00/lb
- Quote B — 12 × 12 oz packs
- 9 lb per case
- Quote B — $48 ÷ 9 lb
- $5.33/lb, rounded
- Quote B costs more per pound
- 33.3%
Illustrative quotes, assuming equivalent product and delivery terms. The percentage uses unrounded unit prices and Quote A as the baseline. Compare like-for-like quotes in a bid sheet.
Unit price is not always usable ingredient cost
An invoice unit price is an as-purchased cost. If a $4/lb ingredient yields 80% after preparation, its usable cost is $4 ÷ 0.80 = $5/lb. Match the recipe's raw or prepared quantity to the correct cost basis; do not apply yield loss twice. Compare actual packs in the supplier price comparison calculator, then carry the reviewed quantities into the recipe cost calculator. Follow the supplier comparison guide for fees, yield and catch-weight checks.
Run the numbers
Recipe cost calculator
The guide that works it through
#10 Can Size and Other Can Sizes: What Each Holds and How to Cost It
USDA's common can sizes — No. 10, No. 3 cylinder, No. 2½ and smaller — with net weight, cups and drained yields, and how to cost canned goods per usable cup.
Related terms
Pack size
How a product is packaged — units per case and size per unit. Changes to it are price changes in disguise.
Bid sheet
A side-by-side comparison of the same items across suppliers, normalised to a comparable unit price.
Price creep
Small, frequent supplier price increases that individually look ignorable and collectively remove several points of margin a year.
Catch weight
Items priced by actual weight rather than by a fixed case quantity — most proteins and cheeses.
Prime vendor agreement
An agreement making one distributor the main supplier for specified purchases, with purchasing commitments, pricing and service terms defined in writing.