Columbus, Ohio Sales Tax Rate
Buying in Columbus? Because it is located in Franklin County, the combined sales tax rate is 8.00%. Below is the full breakdown and a calculator preset to Columbus's rate.
- Ohio state base5.75%
- Franklin County & transit2.25%
- Total you pay8.00%
Columbus sits in Franklin County, so its combined rate is 8.00% — Ohio's 5.75% state base plus 2.25% in Franklin County and transit tax. Because Ohio sources sales tax to the delivery destination, anything shipped to Columbus is taxed at 8.00%, and in-store purchases use the same rate — so a $50.00 taxable item runs $54.00 out the door. Unprepared groceries and prescription drugs are exempt statewide, so they stay untaxed in Columbus no matter the local rate.
Calculate tax in Columbus
Columbus sales tax by purchase amount
| Purchase | Sales Tax (8.00%) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $1.00 | $0.08 | $1.08 |
| $5.00 | $0.40 | $5.40 |
| $10.00 | $0.80 | $10.80 |
| $25.00 | $2.00 | $27.00 |
| $50.00 | $4.00 | $54.00 |
| $100.00 | $8.00 | $108.00 |
| $500.00 | $40.00 | $540.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $80.00 | $1,080.00 |
Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt statewide, so they carry $0 tax in Columbus. Prepared food and general merchandise are taxed at 8.00%.
Columbus sales tax FAQ
The combined sales tax rate in Columbus is 8.00% in 2026. This is based on its location in Franklin County, which adds a 2.25% county and transit portion to Ohio's 5.75% state base rate.
At 8.00%, sales tax on a $100 taxable purchase in Columbus is $8.00, for a total of $108.00.
No. Unprepared groceries and prescription drugs are exempt from Ohio sales tax statewide, so they are not taxed in Columbus. Prepared food and restaurant meals are taxable at 8.00%.
Explore Ohio cities beyond Columbus
Need a different calculation? Try the reverse sales tax calculator or the car sales tax calculator.
Not sure what's taxable? Read what is taxable in Ohio, Ohio sales tax exemptions, or how to calculate Ohio sales tax.