Percentage increase shows how much a number has gone up compared with its original value. It is useful when measuring growth, price rises, sales increases, traffic improvements, cost changes, salary changes, and many other before-and-after comparisons.
Use the calculator to check the number quickly, then read the guide for formulas, examples, and common mistakes.
What Is Percentage Increase?
Percentage increase measures how much a value has risen from its starting point.
For example, if a value increases from 100 to 125, the increase amount is 25.
Compared with the original value of 100, that increase is 25%.
Percentage Increase Formula
The percentage increase formula is: percentage increase = increase amount ÷ original value × 100.
The increase amount is the new value minus the original value.
The full formula is: percentage increase = (new value - original value) ÷ original value × 100.
Step 1: Find the Original Value
The original value is the number before the increase happened.
This is the base of the calculation.
If sales went from 500 to 650, the original value is 500.
Step 2: Find the New Value
The new value is the number after the increase happened.
In the same example, the new value is 650.
The increase is measured by comparing 650 with 500.
Step 3: Calculate the Increase Amount
Subtract the original value from the new value.
650 - 500 = 150.
The increase amount is 150.
Step 4: Divide by the Original Value
Now divide the increase amount by the original value.
150 ÷ 500 = 0.30.
This shows the increase as a decimal.
Step 5: Multiply by 100
Multiply the decimal by 100 to convert it into a percentage.
0.30 × 100 = 30%.
So the value increased by 30%.
Example: Price Increase
Suppose a product price increases from 80 to 100.
The increase amount is 100 - 80 = 20.
Percentage increase is 20 ÷ 80 × 100, which equals 25%.
Example: Website Traffic Increase
Suppose website visits increase from 1,200 to 1,800.
The increase amount is 600.
Percentage increase is 600 ÷ 1,200 × 100, which equals 50%.
Example: Cost Increase
Suppose a monthly software cost increases from 40 to 50.
The increase amount is 10.
Percentage increase is 10 ÷ 40 × 100, which equals 25%.
Percentage Increase vs Percentage Change
Percentage increase is one type of percentage change. It is used when the new value is higher than the original value.
Percentage change can describe both increase and decrease.
For the broader formula, read Percentage Change Formula.
Why You Should Not Use the New Value as the Base
A common mistake is dividing the increase amount by the new value.
Percentage increase should use the original value because the question is how much the value grew from where it started.
Using the new value gives a different percentage and can make the increase look smaller.
Use the Calculator
Use the Percentage Calculator to check percentage calculations quickly.
For the main percentage guide, read How to Calculate Percentage.
For finding a percentage of one number, read How to Calculate Percentage of a Number.
Conclusion
To calculate percentage increase, subtract the original value from the new value, divide by the original value, and multiply by 100.
The original value is the key base number because the increase is measured from the starting point.
Related guides and tools
FAQs
What is the percentage increase formula?
Percentage increase = (new value - original value) divided by original value, multiplied by 100.
How do I calculate a 25% increase?
Multiply the original value by 1.25 to get the value after a 25% increase.
What is the percentage increase from 80 to 100?
The increase is 20, and 20 divided by 80 multiplied by 100 equals 25%.
Why do I divide by the original value?
Because percentage increase measures growth from the starting value.