Percentage Increase Calculator
Find the percent increase between any two numbers instantly. See the full formula and step by step solution.
Percentage Increase Calculator
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|
Common Percentage Increase Examples
| Starting Value | Final Value | Percentage Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 75 | 50% |
| 100 | 125 | 25% |
| 200 | 250 | 25% |
| 40 | 60 | 50% |
| 1000 | 1500 | 50% |
| 36 | 45 | 25% |
| 80 | 100 | 25% |
| 50 | 100 | 100% |
| 25 | 100 | 300% |
| 10 | 15 | 50% |
How to Calculate Percentage Increase
Percentage increase measures how much a value has grown relative to its original amount. Percentage increase is used in everyday situations like tracking price changes, salary raises, population growth, and business revenue comparisons.
The Percentage Increase Formula
The vertical bars around the starting value mean you use the absolute value, which ensures the formula works correctly even when the starting value is a negative number.
Step by Step Calculation
- Subtract the starting value from the final value to find the change.
- Divide that change by the absolute value of the starting value.
- Multiply the result by 100 to convert it to a percentage.
- If the result is positive, it is an increase. If negative, it is a decrease.
Percentage Increase Worked Example
Percentage increase worked examples help you understand how to apply the formula to real situations. Here is a practical example to walk through.
Example: Jeans Price Increase
Your favorite jeans cost $36 last year and $45 this year. What is the percentage increase?
Step 1: 45 − 36 = 9
Step 2: 9 / 36 = 0.25
Step 3: 0.25 × 100 = 25%
The price of the jeans increased by 25%.
Example: Population Growth
A town had a population of 8,000 in 2020 and 10,000 in 2026. The percentage increase in population is:
(10,000 − 8,000) / 8,000 × 100 = 25%
When the Result Is a Decrease
When the final value is lower than the starting value, the percentage increase formula returns a negative number. A negative percentage increase simply means the value decreased rather than increased. For example, if a stock price dropped from $100 to $80, the calculation gives ((80 − 100) / 100) × 100 = −20%, meaning a 20 percent decrease.
Percentage Increase vs Percentage Change
Percentage increase and percentage change use the same formula. The only difference is labeling. Percentage increase refers specifically to situations where the value went up. Percentage change is a broader term that covers both increases and decreases. If you need to compare two values without specifying direction, use percent difference instead.