Manicure and pedicure cost calculator.

Worked example

Manicure $40 every 2 weeks, pedicure $60 every 4 weeks, 20% tip, no break weeks. That is 26 manicures and 13 pedicures: 26 × $40 × 1.20 = $1,248 and 13 × $60 × 1.20 = $936, so $2,184 a year, or $182 a month, over 39 visits. At home for $8 a session, 39 sessions cost $312, a difference of $1,872. With 6 break weeks the manicures drop to 23 visits (46 weeks ÷ 2).

How it works

Visits = (52 − break weeks) ÷ weeks between visits, for each service; cost = visits × price × (1 + tip). Monthly cost is the yearly total divided by 12; the home comparison is your per-session estimate times all visits.

The American Academy of Dermatology advises moderation with gel manicures, suggests considering one for special occasions only, and recommends a nail polish holiday of one to two weeks or longer between them so nails can repair, moisturizing nails and cuticles several times a day in the meantime. Use the break-weeks box to see what that does to the bill. The prices and frequencies are yours; none is a typical price.

Sources and basis (opened 2026-10-08): American Academy of Dermatology, Gel manicures: Tips for healthy nails.

FAQ

How much does a manicure cost per year?

It is visits times price times one plus the tip. A $40 manicure every 2 weeks with a 20% tip is 26 visits and $1,248 a year.

How often should you get a gel manicure?

The American Academy of Dermatology says moderation is key and suggests gel manicures for special occasions only, with a polish break of one to two weeks or longer between them.

How do I count weeks without polish?

Enter them in the break-weeks box. They are taken off the 52 weeks, so fewer visits are counted. With 6 break weeks, a manicure every 2 weeks is 23 visits.

Is doing my nails at home cheaper?

Usually if your home session costs much less than the salon price, but the tool only multiplies the figure you enter. At $8 against $40 plus tip it saves $1,872 a year on the default routine.

Does the tip change the total a lot?

It scales it directly: a 20% tip adds 20% to every visit. Set the tip to 0 to see the base price.