A ₱99 product and a ₱1,068 product can cost about the same per use. Price per unit (per 100 ml, per wipe, per patch, per capsule) is the only way to compare packs of different sizes, and it is the number we show for every product in our guides. Here is how to work it out, with examples we actually calculated.
The formula
Price divided by quantity
Divide the price by how many units the listing says you get. To compare liquids or creams, scale to a standard amount such as 100 ml or 100 g: price ÷ size × 100.
- Mouthwash: ₱240 for 500 ml is ₱240 ÷ 500 × 100 = ₱48.00 per 100 ml (Colgate Plax, in our mouthwash guide).
- Eye patches: ₱99 for 3 pairs (6 patches) is ₱99 ÷ 6 = ₱16.50 per patch, or ₱33 per pair. ₱271 for 60 patches is ₱4.52 per patch (eye patch guide).
- Nail trimmer: ₱299 for 6 grinding heads is ₱49.83 per head (nail trimmer guide).
- Devices: with a stated 3-year warranty, ₱3,510 is ₱1,170 per year and ₱2,052 is ₱684 per year (compressor nebulizer guide). Devices with no stated warranty get no per-year figure.
Why it matters
The cheaper pack is often not the cheaper product
In our baby wipes guide, one pack worked out to about ₱0.45 per wipe and the best-documented pack to about ₱3.20 per wipe, roughly seven times more. The gap does not show on the price tag. It shows only when you divide.
Traps
Check these before you calculate
| Trap | Example | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Pairs versus pieces | Eye patches: “30 pairs” is 60 patches | Convert to the same unit before comparing |
| Variants with different prices | A listing shows “from ₱429” but the variant you want is ₱599 | Use the price of the variant you will buy |
| Bundles and gifts | “Buy 1 take 1” doubles the quantity | Divide by the total quantity |
| Different units | ml on one pack, grams on another | Compare ml with ml and g with g only |
| Servings versus pieces | Supplements: capsules per bottle against capsules per day | Compare price per day of the dose on the label, where the label gives one |
| Missing quantity | The listing does not say how many heads or sheets come in the box | We write “not stated” rather than guess |
Beyond price
What price per unit does not tell you
It says nothing about quality, registration, or whether the seller is genuine. A very low price per unit from an unknown seller is a reason to look harder, not a bargain. Use it alongside the FDA check and the seller record: see how to check if a product is FDA registered and why the cheapest listing is often not the real product.
Price per unit: common questions
What is price per unit?
The price divided by the quantity, for example per 100 ml, per wipe or per patch, so packs of different sizes can be compared.
How do I convert a pair to a piece?
A pair is two pieces. Divide the price by two times the number of pairs to get the price per piece.
Should I always buy the lowest price per unit?
No. Consider registration, claims and seller record. We rank products on a published rubric where value is only 10 points out of 100.
Do your guides show price per unit?
Yes, for every product, with the date checked. Where a listing does not state the quantity, we say so.