Percent Change Calculator

What is Percent Change?

Percent change measures how much a value has increased or decreased from its original value, expressed as a percentage. It's used daily in finance, business, statistics, and everyday calculations to understand growth or decline.

Percent Change Formula

The formula for calculating percent change is:

Percent Change = (Final Value - Initial Value) ÷ Initial Value × 100%

• A positive result indicates an increase
• A negative result indicates a decrease

How to Calculate Percent Change

1. Subtract the initial value from the final value
2. Divide the difference by the initial value
3. Multiply by 100 to get the percentage

Examples of Percent Change Calculations

Price Changes

Initial Price: $80
Final Price: $100
Percent Change = ($100 - $80) ÷ $80 × 100 = 25% increase

Population Growth

2020 Population: 10,000
2023 Population: 9,500
Percent Change = (9,500 - 10,000) ÷ 10,000 × 100 = -5% decrease

FAQ About Percent Change

What's the difference between percent change and percentage points?

Percent change compares the relative difference between two values, while percentage points measure the absolute difference between two percentages.

Can percent change be more than 100%?

Yes, if the final value is more than double the initial value, the percent change will exceed 100%.

What if the initial value is zero?

Percent change cannot be calculated when the initial value is zero, as division by zero is undefined.

Tips for Using Percent Change

1. Always identify your initial and final values clearly
2. Keep track of positive and negative changes
3. Convert the decimal to a percentage by multiplying by 100
4. Use percent change for comparing relative differences
5. Consider the context when interpreting results