Free Percentage Calculator

What is a Percentage?

A percentage is a number or ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. It's denoted using the percent sign (%). Percentages are widely used in finance, statistics, education, and everyday calculations to express proportions, changes, and comparisons.

Key uses: Calculating discounts, tips, tax rates, grade scores, interest rates, and statistical data analysis.

Formula: Percentage = (Part / Whole) × 100

What percentage is X of Y?

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Calculate Percentage Increase/Decrease

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What is X% of Y?

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Real-World Percentage Calculator Examples

Example 1: Test Score Percentage

Problem: If you scored 45 out of 50 on a test, what's your percentage?

Solution: (45 ÷ 50) × 100 = 90%

Explanation: You got 90% of the questions correct.

Example 2: Sales Discount

Problem: A $200 item has a 25% discount. How much do you save?

Solution: 25% of $200 = $200 × 0.25 = $50 discount

Final Price: $200 - $50 = $150

Example 3: Salary Increase

Problem: Your salary increased from $50,000 to $55,000. What's the percentage increase?

Solution: ((55,000 - 50,000) ÷ 50,000) × 100 = 10%

Explanation: You received a 10% salary increase.

Example 4: Tip Calculation

Problem: Calculate a 18% tip on a $75 restaurant bill.

Solution: 18% of $75 = $75 × 0.18 = $13.50

Total Bill: $75 + $13.50 = $88.50

Example 5: Stock Price Change

Problem: A stock price dropped from $120 to $96. What's the percentage decrease?

Solution: ((96 - 120) ÷ 120) × 100 = -20%

Explanation: The stock decreased by 20%.

How to Calculate Percentages: Step-by-Step Guide

Method 1: Basic Percentage (What percent is X of Y?)

  1. Identify the part and whole: Determine which number is the part and which is the whole.
  2. Divide: Divide the part by the whole.
  3. Multiply by 100: Convert to percentage by multiplying by 100.
  4. Add % symbol: Don't forget the percentage sign!
Formula: (Part ÷ Whole) × 100 = Percentage

Method 2: Percentage Of (What is X% of Y?)

  1. Convert percentage to decimal: Divide the percentage by 100.
  2. Multiply: Multiply the decimal by the number.
  3. Get result: This gives you the answer.
Formula: (Percentage ÷ 100) × Number = Result

Method 3: Percentage Change

  1. Find the difference: Subtract old value from new value.
  2. Divide by original: Divide the difference by the original value.
  3. Convert to percentage: Multiply by 100.
  4. Interpret result: Positive = increase, Negative = decrease.
Formula: ((New Value - Old Value) ÷ Old Value) × 100 = % Change

Common Percentage Calculations

Quick Percentage Conversions

  • 10% = 0.1
  • 25% = 0.25 (1/4)
  • 50% = 0.5 (1/2)
  • 75% = 0.75 (3/4)
  • 100% = 1.0

Common Tip Percentages

  • 15% - Standard service
  • 18% - Good service
  • 20% - Excellent service
  • 22%+ - Outstanding service

Sales Tax Examples

  • 5% - Low tax states
  • 7-8% - Average tax
  • 10%+ - High tax areas
  • 0% - Tax-free states