Use the four calculators below to find the percentage change between two values, a final or initial value, or a cumulative change.
Percentage Change Calculator
Percentage change between two values
Final value after a percentage change
Initial value before a percentage change
Cumulative percentage change
How to use the percentage change calculator
Choose the calculation that matches the unknown value. Positive percentages represent increases and negative percentages represent decreases. Consecutive changes are multiplied, not simply added.
Percentage change formulas
| What to calculate | Formula |
|---|---|
| Percentage change | % = 100 × (Vf − Vi) ÷ |Vi| |
| Final value | Vf = Vi × (1 + % ÷ 100) |
| Initial value | Vi = Vf ÷ (1 + % ÷ 100) |
| Cumulative percentage change | [(1 + v₁/100) × (1 + v₂/100) − 1] × 100 |
Frequently asked questions
What is percentage change?
It measures how much a value changed relative to its starting value, expressed as a percentage.
How is percentage change different from percentage difference?
Percentage change uses the initial value as its reference and has a direction. Percentage difference uses the average and is symmetric.
Why do +10% and −10% not cancel out?
They apply to different bases. Starting at 100 gives 110 and then 99, a cumulative change of −1%.
How do I calculate a decrease?
Use the same formula. The result is automatically negative when the final value is lower.
Can changes be accumulated?
Yes. Multiply the change factors: (1 + v1/100) × (1 + v2/100).
Practical examples
| Situation | Initial value | Final value | Percentage change |
|---|---|---|---|
| increase | 2,000 | 2,200 | +10% |
| decrease | 500 | 400 | −20% |
| Percentage change | 20 | 25 | +25% |
See also…
