Calculator Use
This percent calculator is a versatile tool designed to handle all your percentage-related math problems. Whether you are calculating a discount at a store, determining the percentage increase in your salary, or figuring out what portion of a budget has been spent, this tool provides instant and accurate results.
To use the calculator, simply select the type of problem you want to solve from the dropdown menu and enter your numbers. You can also toggle the "Show calculation steps" option to see the mathematical logic behind your answer.
- What is P% of X?
- Finds a specific percentage of a known total (e.g., 15% of $200).
- X is what percent of Y?
- Calculates the percentage relationship between two numbers (e.g., 40 is what percent of 200?).
- Percentage change
- Determines the growth or decline between an old value and a new value.
How It Works
The term "percent" comes from the Latin per centum, meaning "by the hundred." Therefore, every percentage is essentially a fraction with 100 as the denominator. Our percent calculator uses the following core formulas:
- Standard Percent: Amount = (Percentage / 100) × Total
- Percentage Change: ((New Value – Original Value) / Original Value) × 100
- Inverse Percent: Total = Value / (Percentage / 100)
Calculation Examples
Example 1: Finding a Discount
Suppose you want to buy a jacket that costs $85, and it is on sale for 20% off. How much is the discount?
- Select: "What is P% of X?"
- Input P = 20
- Input X = 85
- Calculation: (20 / 100) * 85 = 0.20 * 85
- Result: $17.00
Example 2: Salary Increase
If your monthly salary increases from $3,000 to $3,450, what is the percentage increase?
- Select: "Percentage change"
- Original Value (X) = 3000
- New Value (Y) = 3450
- Calculation: ((3450 – 3000) / 3000) * 100 = (450 / 3000) * 100
- Result: 15% increase
Common Questions
How do I calculate 15% of a number?
To find 15% of any number, multiply the number by 0.15. For example, 15% of 100 is 100 * 0.15 = 15. The percent calculator automates this by converting the percentage to a decimal for you.
Is percentage change different from percentage point change?
Yes. Percentage change measures the rate of change relative to the original value. A percentage point change is simply the arithmetic difference between two percentages. For instance, moving from 10% to 15% is a 5 percentage point increase, but a 50% percentage increase.
Can percentages be greater than 100?
Absolutely. A value of 200% means the amount is twice the original size. For example, if a stock grows from $10 to $30, it has increased by 200%.