Percentage Change Calculator
Calculate percentage increase or decrease between two values, with the absolute change. Perfect for growth, stocks and price comparisons.
The original value the change is measured against.
Change
20%
Increase
Absolute change
+40
Direction
Increase
200 → 240
Percentage change is relative to the original value, so it can exceed 100% for large jumps and goes negative for decreases.
How it works
Change % = ((to − from) ÷ from) × 100. Absolute change = to − from.
Example: 200 → 240 is +20% (absolute change +40).
Last updated: February 2026
How this calculator is verified
Checked by True Calculator automated test suite on
- Formula verified against a published worked example in the automated test suite
- Edge cases (zero, negative, boundary and unit-mismatch inputs) covered by unit tests
The full verification method is on our how we verify page. Found an error? Tell us and we will re-check it.
When to Use This Calculator
A family in Jaipur finds that their LPG cylinder used to cost ₹800 and now costs ₹1,000. Enter 800 as the original value and 1000 as the new value. The absolute change is ₹200, and the percentage change is 25%, meaning the price rose by a quarter. If the same cylinder later dropped back to ₹800, entering 1000 then 800 gives an absolute change of -₹200 and a percentage change of -20%, because a fall is always measured from the starting value of 1000, not from the earlier peak.
How to Use This Calculator
- Step 1: Enter the original value in the first field, for example the earlier price of a product.
- Step 2: Enter the new value in the second field, such as the current price.
- Step 3: Review the absolute change shown, which is simply the new value minus the original value.
- Step 4: Read the percentage change; a positive result is an increase and a negative result is a decrease.
Worked Example
A family in Jaipur finds that their LPG cylinder used to cost ₹800 and now costs ₹1,000. Enter 800 as the original value and 1000 as the new value. The absolute change is ₹200, and the percentage change is 25%, meaning the price rose by a quarter. If the same cylinder later dropped back to ₹800, entering 1000 then 800 gives an absolute change of -₹200 and a percentage change of -20%, because a fall is always measured from the starting value of 1000, not from the earlier peak.
Tips and Common Mistakes
- •Tip 1: Check the sign of the result; a negative percentage means a decrease even if the output does not label it.
- •Tip 2: For year-on-year comparisons such as share prices or electricity bills, use the same month in both years so seasonal swings do not distort the change.
- •Tip 3: When reporting growth, state the starting value alongside the percentage, since 25% from ₹800 is only ₹200.
- ✗Mistake 1: Swapping the two values, which changes the answer because percentage change is not symmetric.
- ✗Mistake 2: Adding percentage changes across periods; a 50% rise followed by a 50% fall is not zero but a 25% net loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the percentage change formula?
Percentage change = ((new value − old value) ÷ old value) × 100. A positive result is an increase and a negative result is a decrease.
Can percentage change exceed 100%?
Yes. Going from 100 to 300 is a 200% increase, because the change (200) is twice the original value. Percentage change has no upper limit.
How do I calculate percentage change over multiple years?
Calculate it year by year using each year's previous value as the base. For a single average, use the compound annual growth rate instead.
How is percentage change different from percentage difference?
Percentage change divides the difference by the original value. Percentage difference divides it by the average of the two values, so it is symmetric and is often used to compare two measurements of the same thing.
Compare these tools
- Percentage Calculator — Calculate percentages, percentage difference and percentage change instantly
- Rounding Calculator — Round any number to the nearest value, or up and down, to any decimal places
- Standard Form Calculator — Convert numbers to and from standard form (scientific notation) with one click
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