How to Calculate Percentages in Every Form with Real Examples

What is a Percentage?

A percentage (%) represents a number as a fraction of 100. It is one of the most used mathematical tools in daily life — shopping, finance, health and education.

4 Common Percentage Calculations

1. What is X% of Y? Formula: (X ÷ 100) × Y. Example: 20% of 500 = 100

2. X is what % of Y? Formula: (X ÷ Y) × 100. Example: 80 is 40% of 200

3. % change from X to Y? Formula: ((Y−X) ÷ |X|) × 100. Example: 200 to 250 = +25%

4. Increase/decrease X by Y%. Increase: X×(1+Y/100). Decrease: X×(1−Y/100). Example: 1000 less 15% = 850

Calculate all types of percentages with our Percentage Calculator and use our VAT Calculator for tax calculations.