Use this free percentage calculator to quickly solve three common percentage problems. Enter your numbers and get an instant result.
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How It Works
This calculator handles three common percentage problems. Each uses a simple formula.
1. What is X% of Y?
Multiply Y by X divided by 100. For example, 20% of 150 = (20 ÷ 100) × 150 = 30.
2. X is what percent of Y?
Divide X by Y, then multiply by 100. For example, 30 is what percent of 150? (30 ÷ 150) × 100 = 20%.
3. Percentage Change
Subtract the original from the new value, divide by the original, multiply by 100. For example, from 80 to 100: ((100 − 80) ÷ 80) × 100 = 25% increase.
Example Calculations
| Problem | Input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| What is 15% of 200? | 15% of 200 | 30 |
| 50 is what % of 250? | 50 of 250 | 20% |
| Price went from $40 to $52 | 40 to 52 | 30% increase |
| Score dropped from 90 to 72 | 90 to 72 | 20% decrease |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a percentage?
A percentage is a number expressed as a fraction of 100. The word comes from the Latin per centum, meaning “by the hundred.” When you say 25%, you mean 25 out of every 100.
How do I calculate a percentage of a number without a calculator?
Divide the number by 100 to get 1%, then multiply by your percentage. For 20% of 60: 60 ÷ 100 = 0.6, then 0.6 × 20 = 12.
What is the difference between percentage and percentage points?
A percentage point is a simple difference between two percentages. If interest rates go from 3% to 5%, that is a 2 percentage point increase — but a 66.7% relative increase. The two measures mean different things.
Can a percentage be greater than 100?
Yes. A 150% increase means the new value is 2.5 times the original. Percentages above 100 are common when describing growth, markup, or ratios.
What is a percentage change versus a percentage difference?
Percentage change compares a new value to an original value and has a direction (increase or decrease). Percentage difference compares two values without implying one came before the other. Use percentage change for before/after comparisons.