Percentage Increase Calculator
This calculator finds the percentage increase from an original value to a new, higher value. Enter the old and new values to see the percent increase.
How It Works
Subtract the old value from the new value to find the absolute increase, then divide by the old value and multiply by 100. This always uses the old (original) value as the reference point. If the new value is lower than the old, you have a decrease — use the Percentage Decrease Calculator instead.
Worked Examples
Example 1. Price rose from $40 to $52. ((52−40)÷40)×100 = 30% increase.
Example 2. Salary rose from $55,000 to $62,000. ((62,000−55,000)÷55,000)×100 ≈ 12.73% increase.
When to Use This Calculator
Use for price increases, salary raises, population growth, or any measurement that grew from an earlier baseline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I use the old value in the denominator?
The old value is the starting reference. Percent change is always relative to where you began.
What if I want to find a value after an increase?
Multiply the original by (1 + rate/100). For example, $40 + 30% = $40 × 1.30 = $52.
Can I use this for negative values?
Yes, but interpret results carefully. Use absolute value of the old value in the denominator.