Percentage change formula
Percentage change = (New value − Old value) ÷ |Old value| × 100
A positive answer is an increase; a negative answer is a decrease. For example, a price that goes from ₹200 to ₹250 changed by (250 − 200) ÷ 200 × 100 = +25%. From ₹250 back to ₹200 is (200 − 250) ÷ 250 × 100 = −20%. The two percentages differ because each uses its own starting value.
Find the new value after a change
New value = Old value × (1 ± Change ÷ 100)
₹40,000 salary with a 12% raise: 40,000 × 1.12 = ₹44,800.
Examples
| Old | New | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 125 | +25% |
| 80 | 60 | −25% |
| 1,500 | 1,800 | +20% |
| 45,000 | 40,500 | −10% |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate percentage change?
Subtract the old value from the new value, divide by the old value and multiply by 100. From 50 to 65: (65 − 50) ÷ 50 × 100 = 30%.
Can percentage change be more than 100%?
Yes. If a value more than doubles, the change is above 100%. Going from 20 to 50 is a 150% increase.
What if the old value is zero?
Percentage change from zero is undefined, because you can't divide by zero. Report the absolute change instead.
Is percentage change the same as percentage difference?
No. Percentage change compares against the old value. Percentage difference compares against the average of both values and has no direction. Use the Percentage Calculator for the difference.