Percentage Increase Calculator
Calculate percentage change between two values.
Table of Contents
How to Use
- Enter the original (starting) value.
- Enter the new (ending) value.
- Click Calculate to see the percentage change.
- View whether it's an increase or decrease and the absolute change.
What Is Percentage Change?
Percentage change measures how much a value has increased or decreased relative to its original value, expressed as a percentage. It's one of the most common ways to compare values over time or between different scenarios.
The formula is: Percentage Change = ((New Value - Original Value) / |Original Value|) × 100. A positive result indicates an increase, while a negative result indicates a decrease.
Common Uses
| Area | Example |
|---|---|
| Finance | Stock price changes, investment returns |
| Business | Sales growth, revenue changes |
| Economics | Inflation rates, GDP growth |
| Personal | Salary increases, price comparisons |
| Science | Population changes, measurement variations |
Tips for Using Percentage Change
- Always use the original value as the base for comparison
- Be careful with negative numbers - the formula uses absolute value
- For comparing multiple periods, calculate each change separately
- Consider context: a 10% change means different things for different magnitudes
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between percentage increase and percentage points?
- Percentage increase measures relative change (e.g., from 50 to 75 is a 50% increase). Percentage points measure absolute difference in percentages (e.g., from 10% to 15% is 5 percentage points, but a 50% relative increase).
- Can I calculate percentage change with negative numbers?
- Yes, but interpret results carefully. The calculator uses the absolute value of the original number as the base. For example, going from -100 to -50 shows a 50% change (improvement toward zero).
- Why can't the original value be zero?
- Division by zero is undefined in mathematics. If your starting value is zero, percentage change cannot be calculated. Consider using absolute change instead, or choose a different reference point.
- How do I calculate reverse percentage change?
- To find what original value would give a specific percentage change, use: Original = New Value / (1 + Percentage/100) for increases, or Original = New Value / (1 - Percentage/100) for decreases.