Percentage Change Calculator
Calculate percent increase or decrease between two numbers. Get instant results, difference, and a clear visual comparison.
Step 1: Original Value
About original value
The starting point or old value. It can be any positive or negative number. If it’s zero, we’ll show an error message.
Step 2: New Value
About new value
The updated or later value. The calculator will compute the relative change from the original.
Your Percentage Change Result
Calculation
Formula & Examples
Common Uses
Percentage Change
+20.0%
increase from original
Original Value
100
New Value
120
Difference
+20
Absolute Change
20
Percentage Change Formula
Formula
% change = ( (New – Original) / |Original| ) × 100
We use the absolute value of the original to handle negative numbers correctly.
Step-by-Step Example
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Subtract | 120 – 100 | 20 |
| 2. Divide by original | 20 / 100 | 0.2 |
| 3. Multiply by 100 | 0.2 × 100 | 20% |
| 4. Direction | Positive = increase | +20% |
Where Percentage Change Is Used
Finance: stock returns, inflation
Sales: price changes, discounts
Health: weight loss/gain, metrics
Education: grade improvements
Quick tip
A positive percentage means an increase, negative means a decrease. If original is zero, percentage change is undefined (division by zero).
Need More Help with Percentages?
Explore our suite of math and finance calculators. From tip calculators to compound interest, we’ve got you covered.
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