How we estimate prices

Last updated 23 October 2026

Your list is priced item by item, in the pack sizes you'd actually buy, then added up. It's an estimate, not a quote: shelf prices change by store, area and week, so the total you pay will differ.

Where the prices come from

Item prices come from public price data where available: in the US, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and USDA; in the UK, the Office for National Statistics. These are national average prices. Where that data has no match for an item, we use our own estimate.

What the range means

Next to each total we show a range. For a typical week, your total should fall inside it about 8 weeks out of 10. Single items can differ more than the total. Expensive stores and areas can be above the range.

Your budget

We only say a week is likely under your budget when our estimate gives it about an 80% chance of staying under. The top of the range covers 9 weeks out of 10, so it can sit above your budget even when the week is likely under it. When we build your week, we pick dinners so that this 80% estimate fits your budget; we don't promise the top of the range does.

What isn't included

• Basics most kitchens already have, like oil, salt and spices. They're listed separately so you can check you have them.
• Offers, loyalty prices and multibuy deals, which can bring your total down.
• Sales tax on groceries, in the US states that charge it.

These aren't live prices, and Dinner Plan isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any supermarket.

Data and licences

• Price ranges are set using Open Prices data (© Open Food Facts contributors), available under the Open Database License (ODbL) v1.0.
• Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Office for National Statistics).
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics and USDA data are in the public domain.