US • Taxes • Updated for 2026

California Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Estimate California sales tax by combining state, county, city, and special district rates. Use city pages for the most accurate totals.

Inputs

Enter purchase details to calculate sales tax.

Purchase Price

Enter the price before tax.

Results

Sales tax breakdown for California.

Effective Tax Rate: 7.250%

This category is taxable under the configured rules.

Purchase Price$100.00

Sales Tax$7.25

Total Price$107.25

Rate Breakdown

State7.250%

County0.000%

City0.000%

Special District0.000%

Base combined7.250%

Total7.250%

Calculator inputs stay on your device (local processing).

Find your city

Get the exact combined sales tax rate for your city. Select a city below or use the search.

Los AngelesSales tax calculator →San FranciscoSales tax calculator →San DiegoSales tax calculator →San JoseSales tax calculator →SacramentoSales tax calculator →OaklandSales tax calculator →

Disclaimer: All calculators on this website are provided for informational and illustrative purposes only. The results do not constitute professional advice (including legal, tax, financial, medical, or other advice). Despite careful programming, we assume no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the results. For matters requiring professional advice, we recommend consulting an appropriate specialist (e.g., a tax advisor, lawyer, accountant, or physician).

How This Calculator Works

Sales tax is the sum of multiple layers: state + county + city + special districts. Enter a purchase price and category, and (optionally) override local add-ons if you know them. For city pages, the breakdown is prefilled so you can calculate instantly.

Calculation Methodology

We calculate sales tax using the combined rate:

Total Rate: State + County + City + Special District
Tax Amount: Price × (Total Rate / 100)
Total Price: Price + Tax

Category exemptions are applied by setting the effective rate to 0% when the item is treated as tax-exempt.

California Sales Tax Calculator 2026

California has the highest statewide base sales tax rate in the U.S. (7.25%). But what you actually pay at checkout depends on district taxes that vary by location. Use this calculator for fast estimates (and override add-ons if you know them). For point-of-sale accuracy, use the CDTFA address lookup.

California Sales Tax Rates (2026): Why It’s Complicated

California’s base state rate is 7.25%, but many locations add local rates, pushing the combined total above 9% and sometimes above 10%.

State rate: 7.25% (applies statewide)
County & city add-ons: vary by location
Special districts: transit and other local projects

Tip: Use the city calculators for the exact combined rate. This state hub is best for learning and quick estimates.

Official sources: CDTFA city & county rate table (effective Jan 1, 2026) and CDTFA rate lookup by address.

Popular California City Calculators (2026)

Use these pages to start with a commonly-used combined rate for a city. In California, rates can still vary by address due to district boundaries, so verify with CDTFA when precision matters.

City	Example combined rate	Calculator
Los Angeles	9.750%	Los Angeles Sales Tax Calculator
San Francisco	8.625%	San Francisco Sales Tax Calculator
San Diego	7.750%	San Diego Sales Tax Calculator
San Jose	9.375%	San Jose Sales Tax Calculator
Sacramento	8.750%	Sacramento Sales Tax Calculator
Oakland	10.750%	Oakland Sales Tax Calculator

Quick Example (California Sales Tax)

Example: a $100 taxable purchase at 9.75% results in $9.75 in sales tax and a total of $109.75.

Tip: in California, the exact rate can vary by address because of district boundaries—use the CDTFA lookup for point-of-sale accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What is the California state sales tax rate in 2026?

California’s statewide base sales tax rate is 7.25%. Your total rate can be higher due to county, city, and special district add-ons.

Q:Why does sales tax vary by city in California?

Because local governments can add local and special district rates on top of the statewide base rate. The combined rate depends on where the sale happens.

Q:Are groceries taxed in California?

Many unprepared grocery items are generally exempt from sales tax, while prepared foods may be taxable. Rules can vary by item and local jurisdiction.