Percentage Calculator
Calculate percentages, percentage changes, and percentage point differences with our easy-to-use percentage calculator.
Understanding Percentages
A percentage is a number expressed as a fraction of 100. The word comes from the Latin "per centum," meaning "by the hundred." Percentages are used to express how large or small one quantity is relative to another quantity.
Types of Percentage Calculations
Our calculator supports three common types of percentage calculations:
1. Percentage of a Number
This calculates what a given percentage of a number equals. For example, 15% of 200 equals 30. The formula is: (Percentage ÷ 100) × Number
2. Percentage Change
This calculates the percentage increase or decrease from one value to another. For example, if a price changes from $80 to $100, that's a 25% increase. The formula is: ((New Value - Original Value) ÷ Original Value) × 100
3. Percentage Point Difference
This calculates the arithmetic difference between two percentages. For example, if interest rates rise from 2% to 5%, that's a 3 percentage point increase (not a 150% increase). The formula is: Second Percentage - First Percentage
Common Percentage Applications
Discounts and Sales
When calculating a discount, you can use the "Percentage of" calculator. For example, to find a 20% discount on a $50 item, calculate 20% of 50, which is $10. The sale price would be $50 - $10 = $40.
Tips at Restaurants
To calculate a tip, use the "Percentage of" calculator. For a 15% tip on a $60 bill, calculate 15% of 60, which is $9.
Tax Calculations
Sales tax can be calculated using the "Percentage of" calculator. For a 7% sales tax on a $200 purchase, calculate 7% of 200, which is $14. The total cost would be $200 + $14 = $214.
Interest Rates
When interest rates change, the difference is often expressed in percentage points. For example, if a central bank raises interest rates from 2.5% to 3.25%, that's a 0.75 percentage point increase.
Business Growth
Companies often report growth in percentage terms. If a company's revenue increases from $1 million to $1.2 million, that's a 20% increase. Use the "Percentage Change" calculator for these calculations.