Washington Sales Tax Calculator
Figure the tax, the total, or the pre-tax price for any U.S. state or city rate
Washington's state sales tax rate is 6.5%, one of the higher base rates in the country. But because cities, counties, and special districts can layer on their own local rates — sometimes up to 4.1 percentage points — the average combined rate across Washington is 9.51%, making it one of the five highest combined rates in the nation, according to the Tax Foundation.
Seattle and other major metro areas often sit near or above that average. For example, the City of Seattle applies a combined rate of 10.25% once you add the city, county, and transit levies together. Smaller cities and rural areas typically fall closer to 8–9%.
What does that mean in practice? On a $100 purchase in Seattle, you would pay roughly $10.25 in tax, bringing your total to $110.25. At the statewide average of 9.51%, that same $100 item costs $109.51 at the register.
Good news for grocery shoppers: most unprepared food items — think produce, meat, bread, and canned goods — are exempt from Washington sales tax. However, prepared food, soft drinks, and dietary supplements are taxable.
To use this calculator, enter the purchase price in the Amount field and the combined rate for your specific city in the Rate field (or leave it at 9.51% for the statewide average). The result shows the tax amount and your total cost — helpful for budgeting before a big purchase.
Practical example — Washington
A $500 laptop purchased in Seattle (10.25% combined rate) would add $51.25 in sales tax, for a total of $551.25 at the register — about $7.75 more than the statewide average would suggest.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Washington state?
Washington's state base sales tax rate is 6.5%. When you add local taxes imposed by cities, counties, and special purpose districts, the average combined rate across Washington is 9.51%. Specific locations vary — Seattle charges 10.25%, while some smaller towns are closer to 8.5–9%.
Does Washington have local sales tax on top of the state rate?
Yes. Washington localities can add up to 4.1 percentage points on top of the 6.5% state rate. The exact combined rate depends on where the transaction takes place — the Washington Department of Revenue publishes a quarterly lookup table by city and zip code.
Are groceries taxed in Washington state?
Most unprepared grocery food is exempt from Washington sales tax. This includes fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and packaged foods intended for home preparation. However, prepared foods (like restaurant meals or deli items with utensils), soft drinks, and dietary supplements are taxable.
What is the sales tax in Seattle specifically?
Seattle has one of the highest combined sales tax rates in Washington at 10.25%. This includes the 6.5% state rate, plus city, county (King County), and transit district levies. Rates in surrounding suburbs such as Bellevue and Redmond are typically 10.2–10.3%.
Does Washington have a sales tax on cars or real estate?
Yes, vehicles purchased in Washington are subject to the standard combined sales tax at the rate applicable to the county where the buyer registers the vehicle. Real estate transactions are subject to a separate Real Estate Excise Tax (REET), which is different from the retail sales tax and is a progressive rate based on the sale price.