Percentage Calculator
Three quick percentage tools: percent of a number, what-percent, and percentage change.
What is X% of Y?
X is what percent of Y?
Percentage change from X to Y
How to calculate percentages
“X% of Y” multiplies Y by X/100. “X is what percent of Y” divides X by Y and multiplies by 100. Percentage change is the difference divided by the original value, times 100.
FAQ
What is percentage change?
(new − old) ÷ old × 100. A positive result is an increase, negative is a decrease.
For general information only.
Use the result with confidence
Choose the question first
“X% of Y” finds a part of a total. “X is what percent of Y” finds a share. “Change from X to Y” compares a new value with the original value. These three questions use different denominators; choosing the wrong box can produce a plausible but incorrect answer.
Check it with a shopping example
20% of 250 is 50, so a 20% discount leaves 200 to pay. A rise from 120 to 150 is (150 − 120) ÷ 120 × 100 = 25%. Reversing the values gives a 20% fall, not a 25% fall: the starting amount changed.
Percentage points are different
An interest rate moving from 4% to 5% rises by 1 percentage point, or 25% relative to its old level. Enter 4 and 5 in the change calculation for the relative figure. A zero starting value has no defined percentage change; use the absolute difference instead.
The example changes this calculator’s fields. It does not save or replace a journal or backup.