Find the percentage increase or decrease between two numbers. This free percentage change calculator shows the percent change, direction, absolute change and percentage difference.
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Enter the original and new values to find the percentage change between them. A rise gives a positive percentage (increase); a fall gives a negative one (decrease).
Percentage change
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Enter both values
Direction
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Absolute change
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New ÷ old
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% difference
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Percentage change measures how much a value rose or fell relative to its starting point. Percentage difference compares two values relative to their average (order doesn’t matter).
Use this free percentage change calculator to find the percentage increase or decrease between two numbers. Enter the original and new values to see the change, the direction and the amount.
What this percentage change calculator does
A percentage change calculator shows how much a value has gone up or down relative to where it started. A rise is a percentage increase (positive); a fall is a percentage decrease (negative). It also gives the absolute change and percentage difference.
How percentage change is calculated
% change = (new − old) ÷ |old| × 100
Going from 80 to 100 is a +25% increase; going from 100 to 80 is a −20% decrease. Notice the percentages differ even though the absolute change is the same, because the starting point differs.
Increase vs decrease vs difference
Term
Meaning
Percentage increase
New is higher than old (positive change).
Percentage decrease
New is lower than old (negative change).
Percentage difference
Compares two values relative to their average — order doesn’t matter.
Why the direction matters
Percentage change is always measured from the original value. That’s why a 25% rise followed by a 20% fall returns you to the start — the same absolute step is a different percentage of a different base.
How to use the percentage change calculator
Enter the original value.
Enter the new value.
Read the percentage change, direction and absolute change.
Percentage Change FAQ
How do I calculate percentage change?
Subtract the old value from the new, divide by the old value, and multiply by 100. Going from 80 to 100 is (100 − 80) ÷ 80 × 100 = +25%.
How do I calculate a percentage increase?
It's the same formula when the new value is higher — the result is positive. A rise from 50 to 75 is a 50% increase.
How do I calculate a percentage decrease?
Again the same formula; a lower new value gives a negative result. A drop from 100 to 80 is a 20% decrease.
Why isn't a 25% rise cancelled by a 25% fall?
Because each percentage is taken from a different base. A 25% rise from 80 gives 100, but a 25% fall from 100 gives 75 — you need a 20% fall to get back to 80.
What's the difference between percentage change and percentage difference?
Percentage change measures from the original value (direction matters). Percentage difference compares two values against their average, so order doesn't matter.
Is the percentage change calculator free?
Yes, this percentage change calculator is completely free, needs no sign-up, and gives instant results in your browser.
