# How to Calculate Percentage Increase: Formula & Examples Canonical URL: https://thinkquarry.com/how-to-calculate-percentage-increase/ Last modified: 2026-11-05T08:37:31+00:00 To work out percentage increase between two numbers, subtract the original value from the new value, divide by the original value, and multiply by 100. A percentage increase calculator does the same calculation and shows how much a positive starting value has grown. Quick formula: ((New value − Original value) ÷ Original value) × 100. Example: 80 → 100 gives (20 ÷ 80) × 100 = 25% increase. The original value is the baseline; percentage change from zero is undefined. For example, if a software subscription rises from $20 to $25, the increase is $5. Relative to the original $20 price, that represents a 25% increase. The same calculation helps you compare internet speeds, cloud storage usage, website traffic, and digital service costs. This guide explains the formula, demonstrates practical examples, and shows how to avoid common mistakes. For a quick answer with worked steps, open ThinkQuarry’s free Percentage Increase Calculator. ## How to calculate percentage increase between two numbers? To calculate percentage increase between two numbers, subtract the original value from the new value, divide the difference by the original value, and multiply by 100. Percentage increase = ((New value − Original value) ÷ Original value) × 100 Suppose your internet download speed increases from 50 Mbps to 75 Mbps. - Find the difference: 75 − 50 = 25 Mbps. - Divide by the original speed: 25 ÷ 50 = 0.5. - Convert to a percentage: 0.5 × 100 = 50%. Your measured download speed increased by 50%. The original value is always the baseline. Dividing by 75 instead of 50 would measure the difference relative to the new speed, producing a different answer. Use matching units throughout. Convert GB to GB or Mbps to Mbps before calculating. ## How do you calculate percentage change between two numbers? Percentage change between two numbers uses the same formula, but the result can describe either growth or decline. Percentage change = ((New value − Original value) ÷ Original value) × 100 For positive original values: - Positive result: The value increased. - Negative result: The value decreased. - Zero: The value stayed the same. For example, cloud storage usage falling from 100 GB to 80 GB gives: ((80 − 100) ÷ 100) × 100 = −20% The negative sign indicates a 20% decrease. Similarly, website clicks rising from 400 to 600 produce: ((600 − 400) ÷ 400) × 100 = 50% Both calculations measure relative change. The direction depends on whether the new value is larger or smaller. ## How do you use ThinkQuarry’s percentage increase calculator? The free percentage increase calculator provides six calculation modes. To compare an original and new value: - Select Percentage Change Calculator: increase or decrease. - Enter the original value. - Enter the new value. - Select Calculate. - Read the percentage, absolute change, and worked calculation. Choose another mode when your question involves applying a percentage, recovering an original amount, finding a percentage of a value, expressing a part as a percentage, or comparing percentage difference. Calculations run in your browser, and the tool does not transmit or save your entered values. You can also use the example buttons to explore a calculation before entering your own numbers. ## Where is percentage increase useful in technology? Percentage calculations make technical changes easier to interpret, especially when the starting amounts differ. Technology example Original value New value Increase Internet download speed 50 Mbps 75 Mbps 50% Cloud storage usage 80 GB 100 GB 25% Monthly software subscription $20 $25 25% Website clicks 400 600 50% Internet performance: Compare measurements taken under similar conditions. Different devices, WiFi interference, and server locations can affect results. Storage usage: An increase from 80 GB to 100 GB means you are storing 25% more data. It does not mean your total storage capacity increased. Software pricing: Compare equivalent plans and billing periods. A monthly price and an annual total need conversion before comparison. Website analytics: Compare equal periods, such as two consecutive seven-day windows. Percentage growth alone does not explain whether a change came from seasonality, new content, or increased promotion. For other practical calculations, explore ThinkQuarry’s free online tools. ## How do you find a new value after a percentage increase? When you know the starting value and percentage increase, use: New value = Original value × (1 + Percentage ÷ 100) For example, a $40 software plan increasing by 15% becomes: 40 × (1 + 15 ÷ 100) = $46 The increase is $6, and the new total is $46. For a decrease, subtract the percentage instead. A 15% reduction gives: 40 × (1 − 15 ÷ 100) = $34 The calculator’s New value after a percentage change mode handles both situations. ## How do you find the original value before an increase? To work backwards from a final amount, divide by the growth multiplier: Original value = Final value ÷ (1 + Percentage increase ÷ 100) If a subscription costs $120 after a 20% increase: 120 ÷ 1.20 = $100 Subtracting 20% from $120 would give $96, which is incorrect. The original increase was calculated from $100, so reversing it requires division by 1.20. ## What mistakes should you avoid? ## Frequently asked questions (FAQ) ## Can you calculate percentage increase from zero? No. Standard percentage change from zero is undefined because the formula requires division by zero. Describe the absolute change instead: “Users increased from 0 to 50.” ## Are percentage points the same as percentage increase? No. A conversion rate moving from 20% to 25% rises by 5 percentage points. Its relative increase is 25%, calculated as 5 ÷ 20 × 100. ## Does reversing the numbers give an equal decrease? No. Moving from 100 to 150 is a 50% increase. Moving back from 150 to 100 is approximately a 33.33% decrease because the baseline changes. ## Can percentage increase exceed 100%? Yes. Increasing from 50 to 150 gives: ((150 − 50) ÷ 50) × 100 = 200% A 100% increase doubles the original value; a 200% increase triples it. ## Is percentage difference the same as percentage change? Choose the percentage calculation that matches your question Calculation When to use it Example Percentage increase A positive original value grows; divide the change by the original value. 80 → 100: 25% increase. Percentage change Measure increase or decrease from a positive original value. 100 → 80: −20%, or a 20% decrease. Percentage difference Compare two non-negative values when neither is the starting point; divide the absolute difference by their average. Both cannot be zero. 80 versus 100: 20 ÷ 90 × 100 ≈ 22.22% difference. Percentage points Subtract one percentage rate from another. 20% → 25%: 5 percentage points, or 25% relative increase. No. Percentage change measures movement from a defined starting value. Percentage difference compares two non-negative values using their average when neither is the baseline. Choose the mode that matches your question, check your units, and use the Percentage Increase Calculator to review the result and its steps.