If an interest rate rises from 4% to 5%, it rose by 1 percentage point but by 25% in relative terms. News reports often mix these up.
How to use the Percentage Point Calculator
- First percentage
- Second percentage
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Subtract the first percentage from the second for points; divide that difference by the first for the relative change.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| First percentage | In % |
| Second percentage | In % |
What each result means
- Difference = [Second percentage] – [First percentage]
- Relative change = ([Second percentage] – [First percentage])÷[First percentage] × 100
Example values
How the main result changes when First percentage changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| First percentage (%) | Difference (percentage points) |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3 |
| 3 | 2 |
| 4 | 1 |
| 5 | 0 |
| 6 | -1 |
| 8 | -3 |
Formula
Point change = p₂ − p₁Relative change = (p₂ − p₁) ÷ p₁ × 100Worked example
Inputs — First percentage: 4 %; Second percentage: 5 %.
Results — Difference = 1 percentage points; Relative change = 25 %.
Key terms
- Percentage point
- Arithmetic difference between two percentages.
Frequently asked questions
When should I use percentage points?
Whenever you compare two percentages, such as rates, shares or polls.
What is a basis point?
One hundredth of a percentage point.
What formula does the Percentage Point Calculator use?
Point change = p₂ − p₁.