Quick answer: Percentage change = (new − old) ÷ old × 100: from 200 to 250 is (250 − 200) ÷ 200 × 100 = a 25% increase.
How it's calculated
Subtract the old value from the new one, divide the difference by the old value and multiply by 100. A positive answer is an increase and a negative one a decrease. A salary going from 8,000 to 8,600 rose by 600, which is 600 ÷ 8,000 × 100 = 7.5%.
The change is always measured against the old value, so going up and coming back down give different percentages. A price that drops from 250 back to 200 falls by 20%, even though it rose by 25% on the way up.
If the old value is 0 there is no percentage change, because you can't divide by zero. If it is negative, the change is measured against its size: from −50 to −25 is a 50% increase. Results are shown to 2 decimal places.
To find a percentage of a number, use the percentage calculator; to see what share a part is of a total, the what percent calculator. For a shop price cut given as a percentage, the discount calculator gives the sale price directly.
Worked examples
- From 200 to 250: (250 − 200) ÷ 200 × 100 = +25%
- A salary rise from 8,000 to 8,600 SAR: (8,600 − 8,000) ÷ 8,000 × 100 = +7.5%
- A phone price cut from 1,200 to 900 AED: (900 − 1,200) ÷ 1,200 × 100 = -25%
Up and back down are not the same percentage
Each change is measured against its own starting value:
| Old value | New value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 150 | 50% |
| 150 | 100 | -33.33% |
| 100 | 200 | 100% |
| 200 | 100 | -50% |
Percent or percentage points?
When the values are themselves percentages, say which you mean. A rate going from 5% to 6% has risen by 1 percentage point, but by (6 − 5) ÷ 5 × 100 = 20% in relative terms.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a percentage increase?
Subtract the old value from the new one, divide by the old value and multiply by 100. From 200 to 250: 50 ÷ 200 × 100 = 25%.
How do I calculate a percentage decrease?
The same way; the answer is negative. From 1,200 to 900: (900 − 1,200) ÷ 1,200 × 100 = −25%, a 25% decrease.
Why doesn't a 25% rise and a 25% fall get me back where I started?
The fall is measured on the higher value. 100 up 25% is 125, and 125 down 25% is 93.75, not 100.
What is my salary raise as a percentage?
Enter your old salary first and the new one second. From 8,000 to 8,600 is a 7.5% raise.
What if the old value is 0 or negative?
From 0 there is no percentage, because you can't divide by zero. With a negative old value the change is measured against its size, so −50 to −25 is +50%.
What is the difference between percent and percentage points?
From 5% to 6% is a rise of 1 percentage point, but a 20% increase relative to the old rate.
Can anyone see the figures I put in?
No one but you. The change is worked out in your browser, so sales numbers, prices or salaries you compare here stay on your device.