What is the combined Columbus sales tax rate?

Columbus sits in Franklin County, so the combined rate is Ohio's 5.75% state tax plus the 2.0% Franklin County tax, for 7.5% total. A small part of the city extends into Delaware and Union counties at slightly different rates, but Franklin County covers the vast majority.

Are groceries taxed in Columbus?

Most unprepared food for home consumption is exempt from Ohio sales tax, so groceries are taxed at 0%. Prepared food, dining out, soft drinks and alcohol are still taxable at the full combined rate.

Are prescription drugs taxable?

No. Prescription drugs dispensed under a valid prescription are exempt from Ohio sales tax. Over-the-counter medicines, however, are generally taxable unless prescribed.

Does this handle restaurant and prepared-food tax?

Yes — select the taxable goods option for prepared food. Ohio taxes prepared and eat-in food at the full combined rate, so use the standard taxable category rather than the grocery exemption.

Is my purchase data sent anywhere?

No. The calculation runs locally in your browser and nothing is uploaded or stored.

Columbus Combined Sales Tax Calculator

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When you buy something in Columbus, Ohio, you pay a combined 7.5% sales tax — 5.75% to the state of Ohio and 2.0% to Franklin County. This free calculator applies that rate to any amount and handles the common Ohio exemptions for groceries and prescription drugs.

How it works

For taxable goods the tax is a flat percentage of the pre-tax price:

state tax  = price × 5.75%
county tax = price × 2.0%
total      = price + state tax + county tax

The state and county portions stack on the same base, so the effective rate is exactly 7.5%. For exempt items (unprepared groceries, prescription drugs) the rate is 0% and the total equals the price.

Example

A $60 taxable purchase:

State tax (5.75%): $3.45
County tax (2.0%): $1.20
Total: $64.65 ($4.65 tax)

A $60 grocery order: exempt, total stays $60.00.

Notes

Ohio’s grocery exemption applies to food for home consumption. The moment food is prepared, heated, or eaten on-site, it becomes taxable at the full rate — which is why a deli sandwich is taxed but the loaf of bread next to it is not. Tiny slivers of Columbus reach into Delaware and Union counties with marginally different county rates; this tool uses the dominant Franklin County rate.