How do you work out increase in percentage?

To work out increase in percentage, use the formula: ((New Value - Old Value) / Old Value) × 100. Subtract the old value from the new value to get the increase, divide that by the old value, then multiply by 100 to get the percentage. Example: from 50 to 75 is ((75-50)/50)×100 = 50%.

What is the percentage difference formula?

The percentage difference formula is: |Value1 - Value2| / ((Value1 + Value2) / 2) × 100. This measures the relative difference between two values without implying one is the 'original'. It is symmetric — the result is the same regardless of which value you put first. Note this is different from percentage change, which always divides by the original (starting) value.

How do you work out percentage reduction?

To work out percentage reduction, use: ((Old Value - New Value) / Old Value) × 100. For example, if a price falls from £80 to £60: ((80-60)/80)×100 = 25% reduction. Always divide by the original (higher) value, not the new (lower) one.

What is the difference between percentage change and percentage difference?

Percentage change measures how much a value has increased or decreased relative to a starting point: ((New-Old)/Old)×100. It has direction (positive = increase, negative = decrease). Percentage difference compares two values without a clear starting point: |A-B|/((A+B)/2)×100. It is always positive and does not imply one value came first.

How do I calculate percentage increase on a calculator?

On a basic calculator: enter the new value, subtract the old value, press equals, divide by the old value, press equals, multiply by 100. Alternatively, use our online percentage increase calculator above — just enter the two values and press calculate.

Percentage Increase Calculator | Work Out % Increase

Expert Guide: Using the Percentage Increase Calculator Correctly

This section explains the method behind this calculator so you can trust and verify your result. For planning decisions, run at least two scenarios: your current case and a conservative case with higher costs or lower income.

How the result is calculated

The calculator applies the selected inputs in sequence, validates boundaries, and then computes outputs using the current UK rules shown on the page. If an input is missing or outside expected ranges, the tool should prompt for correction before final calculation.

How to avoid common mistakes

Check units first (annual vs monthly, gross vs net, metres vs feet, etc.).
Use realistic assumptions and compare at least two alternative scenarios.
Round only at the final step; early rounding can distort totals.

Interpretation and next step

Use this output as a decision-support estimate, then confirm with official sources or professional advice where required. For tax and payroll topics, cross-check against HMRC guidance and your latest period figures.

About the Percentage Increase Calculator

Calculate the percentage increase or decrease between two values instantly. Useful for comparing prices, salaries, inflation figures and financial changes.

Formula: Percentage Increase = ((New Value - Old Value) ÷ Old Value) × 100
Input any two numbers to find the percentage change between them

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate percentage increase?

Subtract the old value from the new value, divide by the old value, then multiply by 100. Example: from 200 to 250 = (250-200)/200 × 100 = 25% increase.

What is a percentage decrease?

A percentage decrease works the same way but the result is negative. From 300 to 225 = (225-300)/300 × 100 = -25% (a 25% decrease).

How is percentage increase used in UK finance?

Percentage change is used to track salary raises, inflation (CPI), house price changes, investment returns, VAT calculations and tax threshold changes.

What is compound growth?

Compound growth applies percentage increases repeatedly. UK inflation compounding at 5% annually means prices double roughly every 14 years (Rule of 72: 72÷5=14.4 years).

Common Percentage Increases in the UK (2025/26)

Category	2024/25	2025/26	Increase %
National Minimum Wage (21+)	£11.44/hr	£12.21/hr	+6.7%
Council Tax (England avg)	£2,171	£2,280	+5.0%
State Pension (basic)	£169.50/wk	£176.45/wk	+4.1%
Energy price cap (quarterly)	£1,568	£1,738	+10.8%
Average UK house price	£285,000	£293,000	+2.8%
ISA allowance	£20,000	£20,000	0.0%

How do I calculate a percentage increase on a salary?

To calculate a salary increase: subtract the old salary from the new salary, divide by the old salary, then multiply by 100. For example, rising from £28,000 to £30,000 is a £2,000 increase. £2,000 ÷ £28,000 × 100 = 7.14% increase. To find out your new take-home pay after a salary rise, use our salary calculator which accounts for 2025/26 income tax, National Insurance, and student loan thresholds.

How do I reverse-calculate the original price before a percentage increase?

To find the original value before a percentage increase, divide the new value by (1 + percentage/100). For instance, if a product now costs £150 after a 25% price rise, the original price was £150 ÷ 1.25 = £120. This reverse method is particularly useful for removing VAT (divide by 1.20 for 20% VAT) or checking whether a shop's claimed percentage discount is accurate. It is also called "working backwards" or finding the "pre-increase base."

What is the difference between percentage increase and percentage points?

Percentage increase and percentage points are easily confused. If a mortgage rate rises from 4% to 6%, it has increased by 2 percentage points, but by 50% (since 2 is 50% of 4). Politicians often use "percentage points" to downplay changes: a 2 percentage point rise sounds smaller than a 50% rate increase. In everyday comparisons — interest rates, inflation, VAT — always check whether a quoted change is in percentage points (absolute) or a percentage of the original figure (relative).