surplus

economics

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

In economics, a surplus refers to an amount that is more than what is needed. This concept is particularly relevant in the context of consumer surplus and producer surplus.1

Consumer surplus is the difference between what a consumer is willing to pay for a good or service and what they actually pay. It represents the extra benefit or satisfaction a consumer receives from a purchase. For example, if you find a product to be worth much more than its price, the difference is your consumer surplus.23

Producer surplus, on the other hand, is the difference between the price a producer receives for a good or service and the minimum price they would have been willing to accept to sell it. This concept is crucial in understanding market dynamics and the benefits derived by producers.4

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

6 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

economic system
Centralized states
…on tradition, can generate immense surpluses of wealth—indeed, the very purpose of a command organization of economic life can be said to lie in securing such a surplus. Command systems thereby acquire the wherewithal to change the conditions of material existence in far-reaching ways. Prior to the modern era, when…
Read More
…on tradition, can generate immense surpluses of wealth—indeed, the very purpose of a command organization of economic life can be said to lie in securing such a surplus. Command systems thereby acquire the wherewithal to change the conditions of material existence in far-reaching ways. Prior to the modern era, when…
Read More