Target clearance schedule and markdown percentages
Updated 2026-09-30
Target clearance follows a fairly predictable path: items are marked down in steps, and each department tends to be marked on a particular day of the week. Target doesn't publish the schedule, but shoppers have tracked it for years, and knowing it helps you show up on the right day.
How Target markdowns progress
Clearance items get a red or orange sticker showing the percentage off. Markdowns usually step through 30%, 50% and 70% off, with some items — often seasonal — reaching 90% off before they're pulled. The top-left corner of the sticker shows the discount; the price is what you pay.
Each step typically lasts a week or two, but popular items may sell out before the next markdown, so waiting for a deeper discount is a gamble.
The commonly reported department schedule
Shoppers widely report that Target marks down clearance by department on these days. Individual stores can differ, so treat this as a starting point:
- Monday: electronics, entertainment, baby, kitchen, stationery, books, food
- Tuesday: women's clothing, domestics, pets, market/food
- Wednesday: men's and kids' clothing, health and beauty, shoes, diapers
- Thursday: home décor, housewares, toys, sporting goods, lingerie, luggage, cosmetics
- Friday: automotive, hardware, bath, jewelry, accessories
When the biggest clearance happens
- After each holiday — seasonal aisles usually move to clearance within days and step down quickly.
- At the end of each season, when apparel, outdoor and home collections reset.
- During store remodels and planogram resets, when whole sections are cleared.
How DealHawk helps
DealHawk watches Target prices and shows markdowns online and near you, with price history, so you can see when an item has actually dropped — and set alerts for the items you're waiting on instead of checking every week.
Frequently asked questions
What day does Target mark down clearance?
It depends on the department. Shoppers commonly report electronics and baby on Monday, women's clothing on Tuesday, men's and kids' clothing and health & beauty on Wednesday, home and toys on Thursday, and automotive and hardware on Friday. Target doesn't publish an official schedule.
What are Target's clearance percentages?
Clearance usually steps through 30%, 50% and 70% off, and some items reach 90% off before they're removed.
Does Target clearance go to 90% off?
Some items, especially seasonal merchandise, reach 90% off near the end of their clearance cycle. Many sell out before then.