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How do I calculate the percentage increase or decrease between two numbers?

Short answer

Subtract the old value from the new value, divide by the old value, and multiply by 100. Going from 80 to 100 is (100 - 80) / 80 = 0.25, a 25 percent increase. Going from 100 down to 80 is (80 - 100) / 100 = -0.20, a 20 percent decrease. A free calculator handles the signs and the division for you instantly.

The formula, with the base that matters

Percent change = ((new - old) / old) x 100. The division is always by the OLD value, which is the detail people get wrong. From 80 to 100 the change is 20 on a base of 80, so 25 percent up. From 100 to 80 the change is -20 on a base of 100, so 20 percent down. Same two numbers, different percentages, because the base changed.

Percent change is not percentage points

If a rate moves from 40 percent to 50 percent, it rose 10 percentage points, but as a relative change it rose 25 percent, because 10 / 40 = 0.25. Mixing the two up is one of the most common statistics mistakes in headlines. A percentage change calculator gives you the relative figure; the point difference is just plain subtraction.

Frequently asked questions

Why is 80 to 100 a 25 percent increase but 100 to 80 only a 20 percent decrease?

Because the base differs. The increase is measured against 80 (20 / 80 = 25 percent) while the decrease is measured against 100 (20 / 100 = 20 percent).

What is the difference between percent change and percentage points?

Points are plain subtraction, percent change is relative. Moving from 40 percent to 50 percent is 10 percentage points but a 25 percent relative increase.

What is the formula for percentage decrease?

The same one: ((new - old) / old) x 100. When the new value is smaller the result is negative, which reads as a decrease.

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