Free Percentage Change Calculator
Get the percentage increase or decrease between two values, plus the difference and the formula.
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How to use this tool
Did followers, sales or views go up or down, and by how much? Enter the starting value and the new value to see the percentage change, the raw difference and whether it’s an increase or a decrease. The formula is printed under the result, so you can quote it in a report or check it by hand.
- 01
Enter the original value
Type the starting figure, such as last month’s followers, last year’s revenue or the old price.
- 02
Enter the new value
Type the figure you’re comparing it with. The result updates as you type.
- 03
Read the change
See the percentage change, the difference and a note saying whether it’s an increase or a decrease. Copy it with the formula.
The percentage change formula
Percentage change = (new value − original value) ÷ original value × 100. A positive result is an increase and a negative result is a decrease. From 1,200 to 1,500: (1,500 − 1,200) ÷ 1,200 × 100 = 25%. From 1,500 to 1,200: (1,200 − 1,500) ÷ 1,500 × 100 = −20%. If the original value is negative (a loss, a temperature below zero), the calculator divides by its absolute value so a rise still reads as an increase: from −200 to −50 is (−50 − (−200)) ÷ 200 × 100 = 75%.
Why up and down aren’t symmetric
A 25% increase followed by a 20% decrease brings you back to where you started, because each change is measured against a different starting value. That’s why a 50% drop needs a 100% gain to recover. Always say which value is the starting point.
Percentage change vs percentage difference
Percentage change has a direction: it compares a new value with an original one. Percentage difference compares two values without a before and after, and divides the gap by their average instead. Use percentage change for growth over time and percentage difference for comparing two items side by side.
Starting from zero or a negative value
Percentage change divides by the original value, so it works from any non-zero starting number. When the starting value is zero, report the absolute change instead: going from 0 to 300 followers is +300. Negative starting values, such as a loss, work too, and the calculator divides by their absolute value.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate percentage increase?
Subtract the original value from the new value, divide by the original value and multiply by 100. From 80 to 100: (100 − 80) ÷ 80 × 100 = 25%.
How do I calculate percentage decrease?
Use the same formula. The result is negative for a decrease: from 100 to 80 is (80 − 100) ÷ 100 × 100 = −20%.
Why is a 20% drop not undone by a 20% rise?
The rise is measured from a smaller number. 100 minus 20% is 80, and 80 plus 20% is only 96. You need a 25% rise to get back to 100.
Can the change be more than 100%?
Yes. Doubling is a 100% increase and tripling is a 200% increase. A fall to zero is −100%, and a value that turns negative goes further: a profit of 100 turning into a loss of −50 is a −150% change.
What if the original value is 0?
Report the absolute change, for example “+300 followers”. Percentage change works from any non-zero starting value, including negative ones.
What is the difference between percentage change and percentage points?
If engagement rate moves from 4% to 5%, it rose by 1 percentage point, but the percentage change is 25%. Use points when both values are percentages.
How do I calculate growth over several periods?
Compare the first and last values for total growth. For an average yearly rate over several years, use a compound growth (CAGR) formula instead of averaging the yearly changes.
Can I use it for prices and salaries?
Yes. Enter the old and new price or salary to see the percentage raise, cut or price change.
Are my numbers stored?
No. The calculation runs in your browser and the numbers aren’t sent to SocQ or saved.
Is the percentage change calculator free?
Yes. It’s free with no signup and no limit.
For developers
Track follower and engagement change
SocQ APIs return public Instagram profiles, posts, Reels and comments with their counts. Collect them on a schedule to calculate follower growth and engagement change for many accounts.
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