Percentage Calculator
Solve any percentage problem instantly. Choose a calculation mode below: find a percentage of a number, determine what percent one number is of another, or calculate the percentage change between two values.
How to Calculate Percentages
A percentage is a way of expressing a number as a fraction of 100. The word "percent" literally means "per hundred." Understanding percentages is essential for everyday tasks including shopping discounts, tax calculations, tips, grades, and financial planning.
1. Finding a Percentage of a Number
To find X% of Y, use the formula:
Result = (X / 100) x Y
For example, 15% of 80 = (15 / 100) x 80 = 12. This is useful for calculating sales tax, discounts, and tips.
2. Finding What Percentage One Number Is of Another
To find what percent X is of Y, use the formula:
Percentage = (X / Y) x 100
For example, 45 out of 180 = (45 / 180) x 100 = 25%. This is useful for calculating grades, success rates, and proportions.
3. Calculating Percentage Change
To find the percentage change from an old value to a new value:
Percentage Change = ((New - Old) / |Old|) x 100
A positive result indicates an increase, while a negative result indicates a decrease. For example, going from 50 to 75 is a ((75-50)/50) x 100 = 50% increase.
Common Percentage Conversions
- Fraction to percentage: Divide the numerator by the denominator, then multiply by 100. Example: 3/8 = 0.375 x 100 = 37.5%
- Decimal to percentage: Multiply by 100. Example: 0.65 = 65%
- Percentage to decimal: Divide by 100. Example: 42% = 0.42
- Percentage to fraction: Put the percentage over 100 and simplify. Example: 75% = 75/100 = 3/4
Real-World Percentage Examples
- Shopping discount: A $120 jacket is 30% off. Discount = (30/100) x 120 = $36. Sale price = $120 - $36 = $84.
- Restaurant tip: A $65 meal with a 20% tip. Tip = (20/100) x 65 = $13. Total = $65 + $13 = $78.
- Sales tax: A $50 item with 8.5% tax. Tax = (8.5/100) x 50 = $4.25. Total = $54.25.
- Grade calculation: You scored 42 out of 50. Percentage = (42/50) x 100 = 84%.
- Price increase: Gas went from $3.20 to $3.84. Change = ((3.84 - 3.20) / 3.20) x 100 = 20% increase.