Percentage Increase Calculator: Raises, Prices and More
Use this percentage increase calculator to find how much something went up or down in percent: a raise, a rent increase, a price change or an investment. Enter the old and new values.
Quick answer
Percentage increase = (new − old) ÷ old × 100. A raise from $50,000 to $53,000 is a 6% increase; rent going from $1,500 to $1,650 is 10%; a price going from $4 to $5 is 25%.
The formula behind the percentage increase calculator
Percentage change = (new value − old value) ÷ old value × 100
A positive result is an increase; a negative result is a decrease. To apply a percentage instead, multiply: a 3% raise on $60,000 is $60,000 × 1.03 = $61,800.
Examples
| Situation | Old | New | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary raise | $50,000 | $53,000 | +6% |
| Rent increase | $1,500 | $1,650 | +10% |
| Price increase | $4.00 | $5.00 | +25% |
| Price drop | $5.00 | $4.00 | −20% |
Is your raise beating inflation?
Compare your raise with inflation. A 3% raise when inflation is 3% keeps your buying power flat; a 6% raise with 3% inflation is roughly a 3% real raise. Check the latest CPI from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and see our inflation calculator.
Common mistakes
- Dividing by the new value instead of the old one.
- Assuming a 20% drop and a 20% rise cancel out: $100 − 20% = $80, then +20% = $96.
- Confusing percentage points with percent: a rate going from 4% to 5% is 1 percentage point, but a 25% increase.
What this percentage increase calculator means for you
- Use it to compare raises, rent and prices on the same basis.
- Always divide by the starting value.
- Think in real terms: subtract inflation from raises and returns.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate a percentage increase?
Subtract the old value from the new one, divide by the old value and multiply by 100.
What is the formula for percentage decrease?
The same: (new − old) ÷ old × 100; the result will be negative.
How do I add a percentage to a number?
Multiply by 1 plus the percentage as a decimal: $60,000 × 1.03 for a 3% raise.
Is a 3% raise good?
It depends on inflation and your field. If inflation is around 3%, it mainly keeps your buying power the same.
What is the difference between percent and percentage points?
Percentage points measure the simple difference between two percentages; percent measures the relative change.
Related guides and calculators
- Inflation calculator
- Hourly to salary calculator
- Investment growth (CAGR) calculator
- Gross vs net income
Sources
This guide is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. The figures are estimates before taxes, fees and inflation, and real rates, returns and rules change over time.
