Use this easy-to-understand calculator to find the percentage difference between two numbers. Perfect for comparing values and seeing how much they have increased or decreased.
What Is Percentage Difference?
Percentage difference shows how two numbers differ, based on their average. It's helpful when measuring changes over time, such as growth or decline in data, prices, or values.
How to Calculate Percentage Difference
Follow these simple steps to calculate percentage difference:
- Find the average of the two numbers.
- Subtract the smaller number from the larger one to find the difference.
- Divide the difference by the average. This gives you a fraction of 100.
- Multiply the result by 100 (or times 100) to get the final percentage difference.
Example
Let’s say you want to compare 20 and 30:
- Average = (20 + 30) ÷ 2 = 25
- Difference = 30 - 20 = 10
- Fraction of 100 = 10 ÷ 25 = 0.4
- Percentage Difference = 0.4 × 100 = 40%
Percentage Difference Formula
The standard percentage difference formula is:
Percentage Difference = (|Value1 - Value2| ÷ Average of the two values) × 100This is also known as the percent change formula when comparing how much something has changed over time.
Why Use This Calculator?
This tool is helpful when you want to:
- Compare two numbers
- Understand the concept of percentages
- See if a value has increased or decreased
- Calculate growth or decline between two values
- Use it as a percent error calculator in scientific or financial applications
Common Use Cases
Whether you're a student trying to solve math problems, a business owner comparing profits, or someone analyzing data, this calculator makes it simple.
FAQ
What does “multiplied by 100” or “times 100” mean?
After dividing the difference by the average, we multiply that number by 100 to convert it into a percentage.
What does "fraction of 100" mean?
It's the decimal result you get before multiplying by 100. For example, 0.4 is a fraction of 100 that becomes 40% when multiplied.
Can this calculator handle negative and positive numbers?
Absolutely. It works with both negative and positive numbers. The calculation uses absolute values to give you a clear percentage difference, no matter the sign of the numbers.