Percent Change Calculator
Calculate the percentage increase or decrease between two numbers. See the change as a percent and as an absolute difference, with the formula shown.
Percentage increase
+25%
Absolute change
+20
Formula
((New − Old) ÷ |Old|) × 100 = ((100 − 80) ÷ 80) × 100 = 25%
A positive result is a percentage increase; a negative result is a percentage decrease. The change is always measured relative to the original value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate percent change between two numbers?
Subtract the original value from the new value, divide by the absolute value of the original, and multiply by 100. For example, from 80 to 100: ((100 − 80) ÷ 80) × 100 = 25% increase.
What is the difference between percentage increase and percentage decrease?
They use the same formula — the sign of the result tells you which it is. A positive percent change is an increase; a negative percent change is a decrease. Going from 100 to 80 is a 20% decrease.
Why does the order of the two numbers matter?
Percent change is always measured relative to the starting (original) value, so swapping the numbers changes the answer. From 80 to 100 is a 25% increase, but from 100 to 80 is a 20% decrease — different bases give different percentages.
What is the difference between percent change and percentage points?
Percent change is relative to the original value. Percentage points are an absolute difference between two percentages. If a rate rises from 5% to 6%, that's a 1 percentage-point increase but a 20% relative increase.
Can percent change be more than 100%?
Yes. If the new value is more than double the original, the increase exceeds 100%. For example, going from 50 to 150 is a 200% increase, because the change of 100 is twice the original value.