How Do You Find the Percentage of an Increase?

April 24, 2025 3 min read

Understanding how to calculate the percentage of an increase is a valuable skill in many areas of life, from tracking business growth to understanding changes in personal finances. It allows you to quantify change in a meaningful way, providing context beyond simple numerical differences.

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The Percentage Increase Formula

The core formula for calculating the percentage of an increase is straightforward:

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

Let's break down this formula step-by-step:

  1. Find the Difference: Subtract the original value from the new value. This tells you the amount of the increase.
  2. Divide by the Original: Divide the increase by the original value. This gives you the increase as a decimal.
  3. Multiply by 100: Multiply the decimal by 100 to express the increase as a percentage.

A Practical Example

Imagine your company's revenue grew from $100,000 last year to $120,000 this year. Let's calculate the percentage increase:

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

Therefore, your company experienced a 20% increase in revenue.

Real-World Applications

  • Business: Tracking sales growth, profit margins, and customer acquisition.
  • Finance: Calculating investment returns and monitoring portfolio performance.
  • Personal: Budgeting, tracking weight loss progress, and understanding salary increases.

Simplifying Calculations with percentagefinder.org

While the formula is simple, calculating percentage increases manually can be time-consuming and prone to errors. That's where our percentage calculator comes in handy. With our tool, you can effortlessly calculate percentage increases (and other percentage problems) with just a few clicks. Whether you're on your computer or phone, our calculator provides accurate results instantly.

Beyond Simple Increases

Understanding percentage increase is also useful for understanding related concepts:

  • Percentage Decrease: A similar calculation, but used when a value decreases. The formula is: [(Original Value - New Value) / Original Value] * 100.
  • Percent Change: A general term encompassing both increases and decreases. You can use the percentage increase formula and interpret the result; a negative percentage indicates a decrease.
  • Percentage Difference: Used to compare two values without designating one as the "original." See /blog/determine-percentage-difference for details.

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Calculating percentages doesn't have to be a chore. With our intuitive percentage calculator, you can quickly and accurately find the percentage of an increase, determine percentage differences, and solve various other percentage-related problems. Simplify your calculations and gain valuable insights today!