Percentage Change Calculator
Work out the percentage increase or decrease between two numbers, such as sales, prices or costs.
- Difference
- 20
- New as a multiple of old
- 1.25×
- Change needed to get back
- -20%
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How to use the percentage change calculator
- Enter the starting value, such as last month's sales or the old price.
- Enter the new value.
- A positive result is an increase and a negative result is a decrease.
Percentage change formula
Percentage change is always measured against the old value. It cannot be calculated when the old value is 0.
Example
Sales went from 80 to 100. The change is (100 − 80) ÷ 80 = +25%, a difference of 20, or 1.25 times the old value. Falling back from 100 to 80 would be a 20% drop.
Why the reverse change is different
A 25% rise followed by a 25% fall does not return you to the start, because the fall is measured on the bigger number. That is why the calculator also shows the change needed to get back.
Percentage change vs percentage points
If a conversion rate moves from 2% to 3%, that is a rise of 1 percentage point but a 50% increase. Say which you mean when you report results.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate percentage change?
Subtract the old value from the new value, divide by the old value and multiply by 100.
How do I calculate a percentage decrease?
Use the same formula; the result is negative when the new value is smaller.
Can percentage change be more than 100%?
Yes. Going from 50 to 150 is a 200% increase.
What if the old value is negative?
The calculator divides by the size of the old value, so the sign still shows the direction of the change.
What is the difference between percentage change and percentage points?
Percentage points are the simple difference between two percentages; percentage change is relative to the starting value.
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