Percentage change
calculator
Compare two amounts to find the increase or decrease in dollars and percent.
Everyday money · Percentage changeCompare two amounts
A percentage decrease and the same percentage increase do not cancel each other out, because the starting amounts differ.
More clarity, one calculation at a time.
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Open calculator ↗How to use this calculator
- Enter a positive original amount as the comparison baseline.
- Enter the new amount using the same units.
- Read the percentage change and the dollar difference.
- Use the sign to distinguish an increase from a decrease.
Percentage increase and decrease examples
If a monthly bill rises from $80 to $100, the change is $20. Dividing $20 by the original $80 gives 0.25, or a 25% increase. Reversing the comparison gives a 20% decrease, because the baseline is now $100.
| Original amount | New amount | Percentage change |
|---|---|---|
| $80.00 | $100.00 | +25.00% |
| $100.00 | $80.00 | −20.00% |
| $2,000.00 | $2,072.00 | +3.60% |
| $150.00 | $150.00 | 0.00% |
Use this tool for a price increase, a reduced bill, a salary change or two benefit amounts. It calculates relative change, not a percentage-point difference between two rates.
How this calculator works
Percentage change compares the difference between two values with the original value. A positive result means an increase; a negative result means a decrease. The starting value must be greater than zero.
Try different inputs to compare scenarios. Results are estimates for general information.
A few helpful answers.
Why must the original value be positive?
This calculator uses a positive baseline so the percent change has a straightforward interpretation. Percentage change from zero is undefined.
Can I compare non-money amounts?
Yes. Use two amounts measured in the same units. The percentage result is independent of the currency label.
What is the difference between percent change and percentage points?
A rate moving from 3% to 4% rises by 1 percentage point. Its relative percentage increase is (4 − 3) ÷ 3 × 100, or about 33.33%.
Why is changing from $80 to $100 different from $100 to $80?
Percentage change is measured against the original value. The difference is $20 in both cases, but the starting values are different.