The Per-Ounce Truth

Packaging is designed to make comparison hard. The "large" jar can cost more per ounce than the small one. A 3-pack of paper towels can be pricier per sheet than buying singles.

Unit price — price divided by quantity — cuts straight through the games. One quick division at the shelf, and the real winner stops hiding.

Where do you find the unit price? On many shelf tags it sits in the corner, often in small print, sometimes labeled "unit price" or "price per oz."

When it is there, use it as your starting point — but glance at the unit it uses. When it is missing or unclear, fall back on your own division. Either way, the per-unit number is the one that decides the deal.