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Percentage Calculator

Calculate percentage of a number, percentage change, what percent one number is of another, and percentage increase or decrease. Instant results with step-by-step formula explanations.

What is X% of Y?

What is X% of Y?

%

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Enter values to see the result instantly

Quick Examples

% of Number

20% of 150

= 30

% Change

80 → 100 (change)

= ▲ 25%

X is what %

50 is what % of 200?

= 25%

% Increase

Increase 200 by 15%

= 230

% Decrease

Decrease 200 by 15%

= 170

% Increase

VAT: 100 increase 20%

= 120

What Is a Percentage?

A percentage is a number or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. The word "percent" comes from the Latin per centum, meaning "by the hundred." Percentages are used everywhere — from calculating a tip at a restaurant to understanding interest rates, exam scores, discounts, tax rates, and statistical data.

When you say "40%," you mean 40 out of every 100, or the fraction 40/100 = 0.40. This makes percentages a universal, intuitive way to compare proportions across different total sizes.

Key fact: 100% means the whole. More than 100% means more than the whole. Less than 0% is used to represent a deficit or negative change.

How to Calculate Percentages

Mode 1 — Percentage of a Number

What is 20% of 150?

Formula

Result = (X / 100) × Y

Example

(20 / 100) × 150 = 0.20 × 150 = 30

Mode 2 — Percentage Change

What is the % change from 80 to 100?

Formula

Change = ((B − A) / A) × 100

Example

((100 − 80) / 80) × 100 = (20 / 80) × 100 = 25%

Mode 3 — X is What % of Y?

50 is what percent of 200?

Formula

Result = (X / Y) × 100

Example

(50 / 200) × 100 = 0.25 × 100 = 25%

Mode 4 — Percentage Increase

Increase 200 by 15%

Formula

Result = X × (1 + Y/100)

Example

200 × (1 + 15/100) = 200 × 1.15 = 230

Mode 5 — Percentage Decrease

Decrease 200 by 15%

Formula

Result = X × (1 − Y/100)

Example

200 × (1 − 15/100) = 200 × 0.85 = 170

Percentage Increase vs Decrease

Percentage increase and decrease measure how much a value has changed relative to its original amount. They are not interchangeable — a 25% increase followed by a 25% decrease does not return to the original value.

TypeFormulaExample
IncreaseX × (1 + Y/100)200 × 1.15 = 230
DecreaseX × (1 − Y/100)200 × 0.85 = 170
% Change((B−A)/A) × 10080→100 = +25%
⚠️ Common mistake: +25% then −25% ≠ original. Starting at 100 → +25% = 125 → −25% = 93.75. Always calculate from the correct base value.

Real-Life Percentage Examples

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Shopping Discounts

A jacket costs $80. It is 30% off. Discount = 30% of 80 = $24. Final price = $56.

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Exam Scores

You scored 72 out of 90. 72 is what % of 90? = (72/90) × 100 = 80%.

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Investment Returns

Portfolio grew from $5,000 to $6,250. % increase = ((6250−5000)/5000) × 100 = 25%.

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Tax Calculation

Product costs $200 before 20% VAT. After tax = 200 × 1.20 = $240.

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Salary Raise

Earning $50,000/yr with a 7% raise. New salary = 50,000 × 1.07 = $53,500.

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Restaurant Tip

Bill is $65. 18% tip = 18% of 65 = $11.70. Total = $76.70.

Frequently Asked Questions

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