---
title: "Cart total and cart subtotal"
description: "The difference between the two, and which to use for a free shipping threshold."
url: https://rmewfqxya.us.gleap.help/en/articles/13-cart-total-and-cart-subtotal
collection: "Conditions"
updated: 2026-10-30
language: en
---

# Cart total and cart subtotal

The difference between the two, and which to use for a free shipping threshold.

Both conditions look at the value of the items in the cart. They differ in how they treat discounts.

## Cart total: after discounts

The value of the items **after product and order discounts**, such as sale codes, "10% off your order" and Buy X Get Y.

Use it when customers must spend the threshold **after** their discounts. For example, with "Cart total is at least $150", a $160 cart with a 10% code ($144) does **not** qualify.

## Cart subtotal: before discounts

The value of the items **before any discounts**.

Use it when discount codes shouldn't affect free shipping. With "Cart subtotal is at least $150", the same $160 cart **does** qualify.

Compare-at ("was") prices aren't discounts. Both conditions use the price the customer is actually paying.

## Shipping and tax

-   **Shipping never counts** toward either value.
    
-   **Tax follows your prices.** If your prices include tax (common in Australia, the UK and Europe), tax is included. If tax is added at checkout, it isn't.
    

## Operators

**Is at least**, **Is greater than**, **Is at most**, **Is less than**, **Is equal to**.

For "free shipping over $X", use **Is at least**. Avoid **Is equal to** for money, because it has to match to the cent.

## Other currencies

Amounts are in your store currency and convert automatically. You can also set exact amounts per currency. See [Selling in multiple currencies](https://rmewfqxya.us.gleap.help/en/articles/12-selling-in-multiple-currencies.md).

## Only some products should count?

Use **Cost of items from collection** instead. See [Collection conditions](https://rmewfqxya.us.gleap.help/en/articles/18-collection-conditions.md).