The 15% off sitewide promo code at the top of this page is the lead offer from ThriftBooks; it is best for small to medium orders where a straight percent off applies and you already have an account to enter the promo code. That code cannot be used with other offers, so it suits a single purchase of mixed items when no better sale applies. For teachers, there are teacher specific codes that may give up to 15% but they are restricted to education accounts.
Under $30 (single book or small orders): your best option is usually the sitewide 15% off promo code. On a $20 order, for example, the 15% off code takes 15% off $20, leaving $17, so you save $3. The 5% single book sale requires qualifying items and is applied automatically on tagged stock, so only use the 15% code if the book is not in those tagged items.
$30 to $38.99: compare the 15% off code with the $5 off code for orders over $30. If your cart totals $35, the 15% code leaves $29.75 (you save $5.25) while the $5 off code leaves $30 (you save $5). In that case the 15% code saves you more. Note that all three codes require an account and none stack with other offers.
$39 and up: include the 18% off orders over $39 code in your comparison. On a $40 order, the 15% code leaves $34 (you save $6) and the 18% code leaves $32.80 (you save $7.20), so the 18% code is the better choice for orders of $39 or more. The 18% code also requires an account and cannot be combined with other offers.
Bulk book buys (2 to 7 books, 8+ books): quantity sale pricing often beats a sitewide percent. If you buy 2 to 4 eligible titles, the site applies 10% off at checkout; 5 to 7 eligible titles get 15% off; 8 or more eligible titles get 20% off. For an $80 cart made of eligible items, the 20% automatic sale brings the total to $64 (you save $16), which beats the 15% code leaving $68 (you save $12). Only tagged items qualify for these automatic quantity discounts.
Kids book fair: if you buy four or more qualifying kids titles, they are $2.99 each with the kids fair code, which applies only to specified books and cannot be combined with other promotions. This can be the cheapest option for multiple children’s books but only for the listed titles.
Shipping and extras: free shipping thresholds ($15 or $20) and the free wrap kit over $60 apply automatically at checkout when your pre code totals meet the stated minimums where the terms require it. Textbook and gift card deals are product specific and do not combine with other offers unless the terms state otherwise.
Our records show 47 offers listed for ThriftBooks in the 12 months to November 2026, with the biggest percent deal in that window being up to 20% off (November 2025). Our team made 1 checkout test across 1 offer in the 12 months to November 2026.
When deciding, calculate the final total for the two offers that apply to your cart and take whichever leaves the lower total. Remember the sitewide 15% promo code is the page lead and cannot be used with other codes; automatic sale discounts and product deals are applied without a code and also state when they cannot be combined.