Percentage Increase Calculator

How it works

Percent change = (new − original) ÷ original × 100. Positive means increase, negative means decrease. To go in reverse: new value = original × (1 + percent change ÷ 100).

Frequently asked

What is the difference between percentage increase and percentage points?

Percentage increase is relative ("from 5% to 6% is a 20% increase"). Percentage points is absolute ("from 5% to 6% is a 1 percentage point increase"). News articles often confuse them.

How do I calculate the original value if I know the new value and the percent increase?

Original = new value ÷ (1 + percent increase ÷ 100). For example, if a price rose 20% to $120, the original was $120 ÷ 1.20 = $100.

Why does a 50% gain not cancel a 50% loss?

A 50% loss takes $100 to $50. A 50% gain on $50 only adds $25, ending at $75. To recover from a 50% loss you need a 100% gain.