Percentage Change
Calculator
Results
- Percentage change (%)
- 24
- Absolute change
- 60
Statistical results
| Percentage change (%) | 24 |
| Absolute change | 60 |
formula-map diagram
- Percentage change (%)
- 24
- Absolute change
- 60
Statistical relationship
Formula
%Δ = (new − old) / old × 100= 24
Note
This is a simplified model: it applies the displayed standard formula to the summary values you entered and assumes their underlying conditions (independence, normality, correct sampling) hold. It does not analyse a real data set. Check the assumptions before relying on the result.
More in Statistics and probability
See all →Frequently asked questions
How is percentage change calculated?+
It's (new value − old value) / old value, multiplied by 100. A positive result means an increase and a negative result means a decrease relative to the starting value.
Why can't I just subtract the two percentages if I'm working with rates?+
If a rate moves from 10% to 15%, that's a 5 percentage-point increase but a 50% relative increase, and these describe very different things. Percentage change measures the second kind, the relative change compared to the original value, not the raw point difference.
What happens when the old value is zero?+
Percentage change is undefined when the starting value is zero, since you'd be dividing by zero. In that situation you can only describe the absolute change in units, not a percentage change.
Is a 50% decrease followed by a 50% increase a full recovery?+
No. If a value drops 50% from 100 to 50, a 50% increase from 50 only brings it to 75, not back to 100. Because percentage changes apply to different base values, equal and opposite percentages don't cancel out.
How do I interpret a negative percentage change?+
A negative sign simply means the new value is lower than the old one. A percentage change of -25% means the value dropped to 75% of its original size, and it's common to drop the negative sign in speech while still calling it a decrease.