Percentage Change Calculator

Calculate the percentage increase or decrease between two values.

What is a Percentage Change Calculator?

A Percentage Change Calculator is a mathematical tool that measures the relative change between an initial value and a final value, expressed as a percentage. It determines whether the change was an increase or a decrease and by how much. This is a widely used calculation in many fields, including finance (to track stock price changes), economics (to measure inflation), and data analysis (to understand growth trends).

How to Use the Percentage Change Calculator

Calculating the percentage change is a two-step process:

  1. Initial Value: Enter the starting value. For example, if a stock was priced at ₹150 last month.
  2. Final Value: Enter the new or current value. For the same stock, if the price is now ₹180.

The calculator will instantly show the percentage change, indicating whether it was an increase or a decrease.

Why Use an Online Percentage Change Calculator?

This online tool is extremely useful for quick and accurate analysis:

  • Clear Indication of Change: It not only gives you the percentage but also clearly indicates if it's a positive (increase) or negative (decrease) change.
  • Avoids Calculation Errors: The formula can be tricky (dividing by the initial value, not the final one). The calculator ensures you get an accurate result every time.
  • Practical for Finance and Business: For business owners and investors in India, it's a quick way to analyze sales growth, track investment performance, or understand changes in market prices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the formula for percentage change?

A: The formula is: `((Final Value - Initial Value) / |Initial Value|) * 100`. Dividing by the absolute value of the initial value ensures the calculation is correct even with negative numbers.

Q: What if my initial value is zero?

A: If the initial value is zero, any change to a non-zero final value represents an infinite percentage change, as you cannot divide by zero. The calculator will indicate this.