Percentage Calculator
Calculate percentages, percentage increase/decrease, and find percentage of a total instantly. Perfect for discounts, tips, taxes, and financial calculations.
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Percentage Calculator Guide
What is a Percentage?
A percentage is a number or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. The symbol % represents "per hundred." Percentages are used in everyday life to describe proportions, changes, and comparisons. For example, if you score 85 out of 100 on a test, your score is 85%.
How to Calculate Percentages
Basic Formula: (Part / Whole) × 100 = Percentage
Example: If you have 25 apples out of 100 total fruits, the percentage is (25/100) × 100 = 25%
Real-World Applications
- Shopping Discounts: A 20% off sale means you pay 80% of the original price
- Restaurant Tips: Calculating 15-20% tip on your bill
- Tax Calculations: VAT and sales tax are calculated as percentages
- Grade Calculations: Your final grade is often a percentage of total points
- Investment Returns: Investment gains/losses are expressed as percentages
Percentage Increase vs Decrease
Percentage Increase: Used when a value goes up. Formula: ((New Value - Old Value) / Old Value) × 100
Percentage Decrease: Used when a value goes down. Formula: ((Old Value - New Value) / Old Value) × 100
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate a percentage?▼
To calculate what percentage X is of Y, divide X by Y and multiply by 100. For example, 20 out of 100 is 20%. You can also use our calculator above to instantly compute percentages.
What's the difference between percentage increase and decrease?▼
Percentage increase adds the percentage to the original value, while percentage decrease subtracts it. For example, a 10% increase on 100 is 110, while a 10% decrease is 90. Both are calculated relative to the original value.
How do I calculate a discount percentage?▼
To calculate a discount, multiply the original price by the discount percentage. For example, a 25% discount on R100 is (100 × 25) / 100 = R25 off, making the final price R75.
Can I use this calculator for tip calculations?▼
Yes! Select "X% of Y" mode and enter your bill amount as Y and tip percentage (typically 15-20%) as X. The result will be your tip amount.
How do I calculate percentage change?▼
Percentage change measures how much something has changed relative to its original value. Use the formula: ((New Value - Old Value) / Old Value) × 100. This is useful for tracking price changes, salary increases, or investment returns.