Math & Statistics

Percentage Change

Calculate the percentage increase or decrease between two values.

Percentage change is one of the most misunderstood calculations in everyday use. This tool handles both increases and decreases, and includes percentage of total for clear context.

Enter your numbers

Original Value

New Value

Results update as you change the inputs. Calculations run in your browser.

Increase

35.00%

absolute Change: +35.0000
relative Change: +35.00%
new As Percent Of Old: 135.0% of original

See the formula

Formula and method

% Change = ((New - Old) / |Old|) × 100

Divides the absolute change by the absolute value of the original number to handle negative starting values correctly.

Worked examples

Revenue growth

Original Value:: 85000
New Value:: 112000

Increase: 31.76%

Price decrease

Original Value:: 299
New Value:: 199

Decrease: 33.44%

Assumptions and limits

Old value must not be zero

This tool provides an educational estimate. Rules, rates and personal circumstances can change the answer. Review the assumptions before relying on a result. Report a correction.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using (New - Old) / New instead of (New - Old) / Old — this gives a different result.
Confusing percentage change with percentage point change — these are different things in statistics.
Applying a percentage change in reverse incorrectly: a 50% increase followed by a 50% decrease is not zero.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a percentage change and a percentage point change?

If interest rates go from 5% to 7%, that is a 2 percentage point increase, but a 40% percentage change. In financial and statistical reporting, distinguishing between these is critical.

A price went up 20%, then down 20%. Is it back to original?

No. Up 20% then down 20% results in a 4% net loss. Starting at $100: up 20% = $120; down 20% of $120 = $96.