Calculate Percentage Change
Percentage change tells you how much a value has grown or shrunk relative to its original. It's used for price changes, grade comparisons, sales growth, and statistical analysis.
The formula
Percentage change = ((New Value − Old Value) ÷ Old Value) × 100. Positive result = increase. Negative result = decrease.
Real-world examples
- Price went from £50 to £65 → 30% increase
- Stock dropped from $120 to $90 → 25% decrease
- Sales grew from 1,000 to 1,450 units → 45% increase
- Test score improved from 68 to 74 → 8.8% increase
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between percentage change and percentage points?
Percentage change is relative to the original value. Percentage points are absolute. Going from 20% to 25% is a 5 percentage point increase but a 25% relative increase.