Percent Increase Calculator
Understanding Percent Increase
The percent increase calculator helps you determine the percentage change when a value grows from an original amount to a new, larger amount. It's a fundamental concept used across various fields, from finance and economics to statistics and everyday comparisons.
What is Percent Increase?
Percent increase quantifies how much a value has grown relative to its initial size, expressed as a percentage. It's a powerful tool for understanding growth rates, performance improvements, or changes over time. For instance, if your sales went from $100 to $125, the percent increase tells you exactly how much they grew proportionally.
The Formula for Percent Increase
The formula to calculate percent increase is straightforward:
Percent Increase = ((New Value - Original Value) / Original Value) * 100
Let's break down each part of the formula:
- New Value: This is the final, larger amount after the increase.
- Original Value: This is the initial amount before the increase.
- Difference (New Value – Original Value): This calculates the absolute amount of the increase.
- Dividing by Original Value: This step normalizes the increase, expressing it as a fraction of the starting amount.
- Multiplying by 100: This converts the fraction into a percentage.
Practical Examples
Let's look at a few real-world scenarios:
Example 1: Sales Growth
A company's quarterly sales increased from $50,000 (Original Value) to $65,000 (New Value).
Increase = $65,000 – $50,000 = $15,000
Percent Increase = ($15,000 / $50,000) * 100 = 0.3 * 100 = 30%
The sales increased by 30%.
Example 2: Population Growth
A town's population grew from 12,000 residents (Original Value) to 13,500 residents (New Value) over a decade.
Increase = 13,500 – 12,000 = 1,500
Percent Increase = (1,500 / 12,000) * 100 = 0.125 * 100 = 12.5%
The town's population increased by 12.5%.
Example 3: Stock Price Increase
A stock's price went from $75 per share (Original Value) to $90 per share (New Value).
Increase = $90 – $75 = $15
Percent Increase = ($15 / $75) * 100 = 0.2 * 100 = 20%
The stock price increased by 20%.
How to Use This Calculator
Using the Percent Increase Calculator is simple:
- Enter the Original Value: Input the starting number or amount into the "Original Value" field.
- Enter the New Value: Input the final, increased number or amount into the "New Value" field.
- Click "Calculate Percent Increase": The calculator will instantly display the percentage increase in the result area.
This tool is perfect for quickly analyzing growth, comparing data points, or verifying calculations for any scenario where you need to understand proportional change.