How to Figure Out What Percentage Something Has Increased

April 24, 2025 3 min read

Understanding percentage increase is a valuable skill applicable in various real-life scenarios. Whether you're tracking the growth of your investments, analyzing sales figures for your business, or simply trying to understand how much prices have risen, knowing how to calculate percentage increase can provide you with insightful information.

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This article will walk you through the process of calculating percentage increase, providing you with the knowledge and tools to confidently tackle these types of calculations. We'll also show you how our percentage calculator can make this process even easier.

The Percentage Increase Formula

The core concept behind calculating percentage increase is determining the relative change between an original value and a new, larger value. The formula is as follows:

Percentage Increase = [(New Value - Original Value) / Original Value] * 100

Step-by-Step Calculation

  1. Determine the Original Value: Identify the starting value you are comparing against.
  2. Determine the New Value: Identify the ending value that you want to compare with the original.
  3. Calculate the Difference: Subtract the original value from the new value. This gives you the amount of the increase.
  4. Divide by the Original Value: Divide the result from Step 3 by the original value.
  5. Multiply by 100: Multiply the result from Step 4 by 100 to express the answer as a percentage.

Example Calculation

Let's say your company's revenue was $100,000 last year, and this year it's $120,000. Let's calculate the percentage increase:

  1. Original Value: $100,000
  2. New Value: $120,000
  3. Difference: $120,000 - $100,000 = $20,000
  4. Divide: $20,000 / $100,000 = 0.2
  5. Multiply: 0.2 * 100 = 20%

Therefore, your company's revenue increased by 20%.

Real-World Applications

  • Sales Growth: Track the percentage increase in sales revenue over time.
  • Investment Returns: Calculate the percentage increase in the value of your investments.
  • Price Inflation: Determine the percentage increase in the price of goods and services.
  • Website Traffic: Monitor the percentage increase in website visitors.

Making it Easier with Our Percentage Calculator

While the formula is straightforward, manually calculating percentage increase can be time-consuming. Our percentage calculator simplifies this process. Simply enter the original and new values, and the calculator will instantly display the percentage increase. It's perfect for quick calculations on the go, whether you're on your computer or mobile device.

Beyond percentage increase, our tool can also help you with other calculations, such as figuring out what percentage one number is of another or finding what percent of a number is. These additional features provide a comprehensive solution for all your percentage-related needs.

Conclusion

Calculating percentage increase is a fundamental skill with wide-ranging applications. By understanding the formula and utilizing our easy-to-use calculator, you can quickly and accurately analyze changes in values, empowering you to make informed decisions in various aspects of your life.