What is the difference between percent increase and percent difference?

Percent increase uses one value as the base (the original). Percent difference compares two values without a base, dividing by their average. Use percent increase when one value clearly comes first.

Percentage Increase Calculator

Find the percentage increase or decrease between two values.

Inputs

Original value*

New value*

Enter your values to see results instantly.

How this works

Formula

change% = ((new − original) / |original|) × 100

Percentage increase tells you how much a value grew relative to where it started. It is the standard way to compare changes in prices, salaries, populations, and metrics.

The formula takes the difference between the new and original values, divides by the absolute value of the original, and multiplies by 100. A negative result means a decrease.

If the original value is zero, the percentage change is undefined — you cannot measure growth relative to nothing.

Worked example

Price rises from $200 to $250

Original value$200

New value$250

Result

Difference is $50. $50 ÷ $200 = 0.25. × 100 = 25% increase.

Frequently asked questions

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