In plain English
This is an intermediate amount, not the final amount. It comes from adding together all the listed item prices or charges first. Taxes and any other extra amounts or reductions are handled afterward to reach the total.
In context
Here, subtotal labels the combined amount of all listed items or charges before taxes and any other additions or deductions are included in the total.
- Situation
- Understanding invoices, billing statements, balances, due dates, credits, and receipts
- What it communicates
- labels the amount before the final total is shown
Meaning limits
By itself, subtotal does not say what taxes, other additions, or deductions will be applied, or what the final total will be.
Examples
“After adding the sandwiches and drinks, the cashier announced a subtotal of eighteen pounds before tax.”
“Before any discount was applied, the repair subtotal stood at two hundred and forty pounds.”