Comparing Pack Prices: Working Out the Price per Kilogram

The one number that makes packs comparable

Different pack sizes cannot be compared by their sticker price. A 250 g pouch, a 500 g pack, a 1 kg bag and a multipack of five 1 kg pouches are all priced differently, and the only fair comparison is the price per kilogram (or per litre for oil). The calculation is simple:

• Price per kg = pack price ÷ pack weight in kg.
• Price per litre = pack price ÷ pack volume in litres.
• For a multipack, first work out the total quantity: 1 kg × 5 = 5 kg total, then divide the multipack price by 5.

On every product page of this site the pack size is shown in a consistent way and multipacks show their arithmetic, for example "1 kg × 5 = 5 kg total", so you always know the total quantity you are buying.

Worked example: one spice in three pack sizes

The figures below are illustrative only and are not current shop prices. They show the method, not today's rate.

• 250 g at PKR 350: 350 ÷ 0.25 = PKR 1,400 per kg.
• 500 g at PKR 650: 650 ÷ 0.5 = PKR 1,300 per kg.
• 1 kg at PKR 1,200: 1,200 ÷ 1 = PKR 1,200 per kg.

In this example the larger pack has the lowest per-kg price, which is common but not guaranteed. Always do the division; sometimes a 500 g pack on offer works out below the 1 kg pack.

Worked example: multipacks of ghee and oil

Again, illustrative figures only.

• Ghee 1 kg × 5 at PKR 2,950: total 5 kg, so 2,950 ÷ 5 = PKR 590 per kg.
• Ghee 1 kg pouch at PKR 620: PKR 620 per kg.
• Cooking oil 4.5 L bottle at PKR 2,760: 2,760 ÷ 4.5 = about PKR 613 per litre.
• Cooking oil 1 L × 5 at PKR 2,950: total 5 L, so 2,950 ÷ 5 = PKR 590 per litre.

Two things to notice. First, the multipack and the large bottle can differ by only a few rupees per litre, so convenience (five pouches you can open one at a time versus one large bottle) may matter more than the small difference. Second, a per-litre figure and a per-kg figure are not the same thing; compare oil with oil and ghee with ghee.

Grams, kilograms, millilitres and litres

• 1 kg = 1,000 g. A 250 g pack is a quarter of a kilogram (0.25 kg); 400 g is 0.4 kg.
• 1 L = 1,000 ml. A 4.5 L bottle is 4,500 ml.
• Some products are sold by count (pieces) or by an unspecified "pack". These cannot be compared per kg; ask for the net weight if you need it.

Beyond the per-kg price

• Usage speed: spices, ground masalas and shelled nuts lose quality over time. A cheaper large pack that goes stale is not a saving. Choose a size you will finish while it is fresh.
• Storage: bulk bags need dry, cool storage off the floor. If you cannot store them well, buy smaller packs more often.
• Minimum quantities: some wholesale rates apply only from a minimum quantity, which is shown on the product page where it applies.
• Delivery weight: heavier orders can cost more to deliver or need transport. Compare the delivered cost when the difference between pack sizes is small.
• Quote-only items: some items are priced on request. For those, the shop will confirm a rate for the quantity you need before the order is confirmed.

A quick method for shop owners

Keep a simple sheet with three columns: pack size in kg, pack price, and price per kg. Fill it in for each supplier quote and compare only the third column. Update it when prices change; rates in the market move with the season and supply, so a figure from a few months ago is not a reliable guide.