Percent Change Calculator
Formula: (15,000 − 12,000) ÷ 12,000 × 100.
How the percent change calculation works
Subtract the old value from the new one
Sales went from $12,000 to $15,000: a difference of $3,000.
Divide by the old value
$3,000 ÷ $12,000 = 0.25.
Multiply by 100 and keep the sign
+25% is an increase. A negative result is a decrease.
For rates, count percentage points too
A conversion rate going from 4% to 5% is up 1 percentage point, which is a 25% relative increase.
Worked example. Monthly sales go from 12,000 to 15,000. The difference is 3,000, and 3,000 ÷ 12,000 = +25%.
Percent Change FAQ
How do I calculate percent change?
Subtract the old value from the new one, divide by the old value and multiply by 100. From 12,000 to 15,000 is +25%.
What is the percent change formula?
Percent change = (new − old) ÷ |old| × 100. A positive result is an increase, a negative one a decrease.
What is the difference between percent change and percentage points?
Percentage points are the plain difference between two rates: 4% to 5% is 1 point. Percent change compares it to the starting rate: 1 ÷ 4 = 25%.
Is percent change the same as percent difference?
No. Percent change measures from an old value to a new one. Percent difference compares two values with no direction, dividing by their average: 12,000 and 15,000 differ by 3,000 ÷ 13,500 = 22.22%. The result above shows both.
What if the old value is zero?
Percent change can't be calculated because you would divide by zero. Report the raw difference instead.