Percentage Change Calculator
Calculate percentage increase or decrease between two values, with the absolute change.
Last updated: August 2026
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).
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.