The article introduces a novel method for measuring discounting based on calculating the area under the empirical discounting function. This approach avoids issues associated with parameter estimates of theoretical discounting functions. The area measure is simple, univariate, and not tied to any specific theoretical framework. It can be applied to both individual and group data collected using various delay and probability discounting procedures. The method is theoretically neutral and provides a useful measure for analyzing discounting behavior. Discounting is a common phenomenon in decision-making by humans and animals. Temporal discounting refers to the decrease in the value of a delayed reward, while probability discounting refers to the decrease in the value of a probabilistic reward. The proposed method uses the area under the empirical discounting function to measure discounting, which avoids potential problems related to the mathematical form of the discounting function and statistical properties of parameters. The area measure is calculated by normalizing the delay and subjective value of rewards and then calculating the area under the curve. This method is theoretically neutral and does not depend on any specific theoretical assumptions about the form of the discounting function. It is also less affected by skewed distributions, making it more suitable for statistical analysis. The area measure has several advantages over measures based on discounting function parameters. It is not skewed, allowing for the use of parametric statistical tests. It also does not require assumptions about the mathematical form of the discounting function, which is a potential issue given the lack of consensus on the form of the discounting function. The area measure is useful for comparing groups and individuals, but it has its own limitations. For example, areas from different experiments cannot be compared without adjusting for differences in the range of the independent variable. Additionally, the area under two discounting functions may be the same even if the functions have different shapes. The proposed area measure represents a new and potentially valuable approach to the analysis of discounting behavior. It is theoretically neutral and provides a simple, statistically advantageous measure that can be used to compare groups and individuals. However, a full understanding of discounting may require a complex model that incorporates multiple parameters.The article introduces a novel method for measuring discounting based on calculating the area under the empirical discounting function. This approach avoids issues associated with parameter estimates of theoretical discounting functions. The area measure is simple, univariate, and not tied to any specific theoretical framework. It can be applied to both individual and group data collected using various delay and probability discounting procedures. The method is theoretically neutral and provides a useful measure for analyzing discounting behavior. Discounting is a common phenomenon in decision-making by humans and animals. Temporal discounting refers to the decrease in the value of a delayed reward, while probability discounting refers to the decrease in the value of a probabilistic reward. The proposed method uses the area under the empirical discounting function to measure discounting, which avoids potential problems related to the mathematical form of the discounting function and statistical properties of parameters. The area measure is calculated by normalizing the delay and subjective value of rewards and then calculating the area under the curve. This method is theoretically neutral and does not depend on any specific theoretical assumptions about the form of the discounting function. It is also less affected by skewed distributions, making it more suitable for statistical analysis. The area measure has several advantages over measures based on discounting function parameters. It is not skewed, allowing for the use of parametric statistical tests. It also does not require assumptions about the mathematical form of the discounting function, which is a potential issue given the lack of consensus on the form of the discounting function. The area measure is useful for comparing groups and individuals, but it has its own limitations. For example, areas from different experiments cannot be compared without adjusting for differences in the range of the independent variable. Additionally, the area under two discounting functions may be the same even if the functions have different shapes. The proposed area measure represents a new and potentially valuable approach to the analysis of discounting behavior. It is theoretically neutral and provides a simple, statistically advantageous measure that can be used to compare groups and individuals. However, a full understanding of discounting may require a complex model that incorporates multiple parameters.