Percentage Increase Calculator
Calculate the percentage increase between an old and a new value. Enter both values to find the exact percent change upward. Great for salary raises, price hikes, and growth metrics.
How to use this tool
- Enter old value and new value in the fields above.
- Results update instantly as you type — or click Calculate.
- Read your percentage increase and the full breakdown beneath it.
Formula
Percentage Increase = ((New - Old) / |Old|) x 100
How it works
Subtract the old value from the new value, divide by the absolute value of the old value, then multiply by 100.
Worked example
Price rises from 80 to 100
- Difference: 100 - 80 = 20
- Divide: 20 / 80 = 0.25
- Multiply: 0.25 x 100 = 25%
Common mistakes to avoid
- Dividing by the new value instead of the old value, which understates the percentage increase.
- Reporting a positive result when the new value is actually smaller than the old; check that new > old before calling it an increase.
- Forgetting to multiply by 100, returning the decimal growth rate instead of the percentage.
Key terms
Frequently asked questions
- My salary went from $50,000 to $55,000. What is the percentage increase?
- ((55000 - 50000) / 50000) x 100 = 10%. Your salary increased by 10%.
- Is a percentage increase the same as a growth rate?
- Yes, over a single period they are the same. Over multiple periods you would use compound growth rather than repeated simple percent increase.
- What if the old value is negative?
- The formula divides by |Old|, so the sign of Old does not flip the result. Be cautious interpreting percentage changes when values cross zero.