Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate percentages?
Calculating percentages is a straightforward way of expressing a part of a whole. The basic formula is (part ÷ whole) × 100. For example, if 20 out of 80 people sign up for your newsletter, you divide 20 by 80 to get 0.25, then multiply by 100 to get 25%. You can use this same approach to answer questions like “What percent is X of Y?” or to convert decimals into percentages by moving the decimal point two places to the right.
Percentages also help you work out increases, decreases, and comparisons. To find X% of a number, multiply the number by the percentage in decimal form (e.g., 30% → 0.3). To increase a value by a percentage, multiply it by 1 + (percentage ÷ 100); to decrease it, multiply by 1 – (percentage ÷ 100). You can also calculate percentage change using ((new – old) ÷ old) × 100, which tells you how much something has grown or dropped in percentage terms.
What are percentage points?
Percentage points are a way of measuring the absolute difference between two percentages. Unlike regular percentages, which describe proportional change, percentage points show a direct, straightforward change. For example, if a conversion rate increases from 5% to 8%, the difference is 3 percentage points, not a 60% increase.
Using percentage points helps avoid confusion when comparing two percentage-based values, especially in analytics, finance, and marketing. They make it clear exactly how much one percentage has moved relative to another without introducing proportional calculations.
How do I use this tool?
To use the Percentage Calculator, start by selecting the type of calculation you want to perform from the dropdown menu (e.g., X% of Y, percentage change, or what percent is X of Y). Once selected, the tool will display the relevant input fields. Simply enter your numbers, and the result will update automatically in real-time as you type.
Each calculation also includes a clear explanation beneath the result so you can see exactly how the percentage was worked out. If you want to start over, click Reset, or use the Copy Result button to quickly copy your answer for use in reports, spreadsheets, or campaigns.