How to Work Out Percentage Increase Between Two Numbers

April 25, 2025 4 min read

Understanding percentage increase is a crucial skill in various aspects of life, from analyzing financial growth to tracking personal progress. Whether you're a business owner monitoring sales figures, a student evaluating exam scores, or simply curious about the change in your favorite stock's value, knowing how to work out percentages is essential.

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The Formula for Percentage Increase

The percentage increase formula allows you to quantify the relative change between two numbers, expressing the increase as a percentage of the original value. Here's the formula:

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

Let's break down each component:

  • New Value: The value you're comparing to the original value.
  • Original Value: The starting value or the initial number.
  • Percentage Increase: The result of the calculation, representing the proportional change.

Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating Percentage Increase

Here's how to apply the formula:

  1. Find the Difference: Subtract the original value from the new value.
  2. Divide by the Original: Divide the difference by the original value.
  3. Multiply by 100: Multiply the result by 100 to express it as a percentage.

Examples of Calculating Percentage Increase

Example 1: Sales Growth

Let's say your company's sales were $10,000 last month and $12,000 this month. To calculate the percentage increase, follow these steps:

  1. Difference: $12,000 - $10,000 = $2,000
  2. Divide: $2,000 / $10,000 = 0.2
  3. Multiply: 0.2 * 100 = 20%

Therefore, the sales increased by 20%.

Example 2: Stock Price Increase

Imagine you bought a stock for $50, and it's now worth $75. Here's the percentage increase calculation:

  1. Difference: $75 - $50 = $25
  2. Divide: $25 / $50 = 0.5
  3. Multiply: 0.5 * 100 = 50%

Your stock increased in value by 50%.

Making Calculations Easier

While the formula is straightforward, manually calculating percentage increase can be time-consuming and prone to errors. That's where our percentage calculator comes in handy. With just a few clicks, you can quickly determine the percentage increase between any two numbers, saving you time and ensuring accuracy.

It also can calculate percentage of a number, and work out percentage of two numbers.

Beyond Percentage Increase: Understanding Percentage Decrease

The concept of percentage change also includes percentage decrease, which indicates a reduction in value. The calculation is similar, with a slight adjustment:

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

A negative result indicates a percentage decrease.

Why is Percentage Increase Important?

  • Tracking Growth: Monitor the progress of sales, investments, or website traffic.
  • Making Informed Decisions: Evaluate trends and predict future performance.
  • Comparing Data: Compare changes across different time periods or categories.

Simplify Your Calculations Today

Don't waste time with manual calculations. Use our tool to quickly and accurately determine percentage increases, percentage decreases, and other percentage-related values.