# Percentage Change Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/math/percentage-change/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The percentage change calculator measures how much a value rose or fell relative to its starting point: subtract the original from the new value, divide by the original and multiply by 100. A positive result is an increase and a negative result is a decrease.

## Inputs

- Original value
- New value

## Results

- Percentage change
- Absolute difference
- New ÷ original

## Formula

```
% change = (new − original) ÷ |original| × 100
```

## Explanation

Percentage change puts differences on a common scale, so a rise from 80 to 92 can be compared with a rise from 8,000 to 9,200: both are 15%.

### How to use it

Enter the original and the new value. To find the new value after a set change, type the percentage into the result.

### Common pitfalls

- A 50% fall followed by a 50% rise does not return to the start; it ends 25% lower.
- A change from 4% to 5% is 1 percentage point, but a 25% relative increase.
- Percentage change from zero is undefined.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterOriginal valueA numberNew valueA number

### What each result means

- **Percentage change** = ([New value] - [Original value]) ÷ abs([Original value]) × 100
- **Absolute difference** = [New value] - [Original value]
- **New ÷ original** = [New value] ÷ [Original value]

### Example values

How the main result changes when **New value** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

New valuePercentage change (%)46-42.569-13.75921511543.7513872.5184130

## Worked example

Price goes from 80 to 92.

Change = (92 − 80) ÷ 80 × 100 = **15% increase**.

## Key terms

- **Relative change**: Difference divided by the starting value.
- **Absolute change**: The plain difference between two values.
- **Percentage point**: Unit for the difference between two percentages.

## FAQ

**Is percentage change the same as percentage difference?**
No. Percentage difference compares two values using their average as the base.

**Why use the absolute value of the original?**
So that changes from negative starting values keep the correct sign.

**How do I reverse a percentage change?**
Divide the new value by (1 + change/100).

**What formula does the Percentage Change Calculator use?**
% change = (new − original) ÷ |original| × 100.

**Can I work backwards from the result?**
Yes. Type the result you want into Percentage change and the calculator finds the matching new value.


## Sources

- [OECD Glossary of Statistical Terms](https://stats.oecd.org/glossary/)