Donation Value Calculator

Look up fair market value ranges for donated goods — by item and condition, from a versioned valuation guide.

Free, no signup. Everything you enter stays in your browser. Guide version: Multi-Source Guide 2026-02.

Your donation list

Saved in your browser only. Values shown use your selected condition; the low–high range is the guide's full spread.

Total: $0.00

Not tax advice. These are estimated fair-market-value ranges from our versioned guide, not appraisals. Your deductible amount depends on your situation — item condition, documentation, and whether you itemize. Consult a tax professional.
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How fair market value works

For donated goods, fair market value is what the item would sell for today in its current condition — thrift-store prices, not retail. The IRS's Publication 561 is the authority; our guide turns it into practical ranges built from published thrift pricing, and every value carries the guide version that produced it. That versioning matters: if a filed year is ever questioned, "guide Multi-Source Guide 2026-02 said $12–$18 that year" is an answer you can stand behind. More on our valuation approach →

Condition matters

Only items in good used condition or better are deductible. Pick the honest condition: "Good" is clean and fully functional with visible wear; "Very good" shows little wear; "Excellent" looks close to new. Worn-out or broken items generally can't be deducted at all.

The record-keeping thresholds

  • $250 or more (single donation): you need a written acknowledgment from the charity, dated before you file.
  • Over $500 in noncash donations for the year: you must file Form 8283 with your return.
  • Any single item (or group of similar items) over $5,000: a qualified appraisal is required.

Constants for tax year 2026 — IRS substantiation rules.

Frequently asked questions

Fair market value (FMV) is what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller — for used goods, that's thrift-store prices, not what you paid new. This calculator shows value ranges drawn from a curated, versioned guide built on published thrift pricing, so every number has a source and a date.

Because a single number would be false precision. The honest answer for a used item is a range that depends on its condition — you pick the condition, and you're responsible for choosing a defensible point in the range.

The IRS only allows deductions for household goods and clothing in good used condition or better. Items in poor condition generally aren't deductible (with a narrow exception for single items over $500 with a qualified appraisal).

Keep records for everything. A written acknowledgment from the charity is required for any single donation of $250 or more, and noncash donations over $500 in a year require Form 8283 with your return. Single items valued over $5,000 need a qualified appraisal.

No. Everything you enter stays in your browser — the math happens on your device, and your list is saved only in your own browser's storage.

Related: how our valuation guide works · shared household tracking · pricing