How to Calculate Percentage in Excel - Softotech

How to Calculate Percentage in Excel: Formulas and Examples

Five percentage formulas cover almost every need. Each one is shown with a worked example.

1. Percentage of a total

Part divided by total: =B2/C2. If B2 is 45 and C2 is 180, the result is 0.25. Format the cell as Percentage (Ctrl+Shift+%) to show 25%.

2. Percentage change

=(New-Old)/Old. From 100 to 120: (120-100)/100 = 0.2, or 20%. From 120 to 90: (90-120)/120 = -0.25, or -25%.

3. Increase a number by a percentage

=A2*(1+B2). With 200 in A2 and 15% in B2 the result is 230.

4. Decrease a number by a percentage

=A2*(1-B2). With 200 and 15% the result is 170.

5. Find the amount from a percentage

=A2*B2. 8% of 50 is 4. Make sure B2 is formatted as a percentage or entered as 0.08.

TaskFormulaResult
45 out of 180=45/18025%
Change from 100 to 120=(120-100)/10020%
200 plus 15%=200*(1+15%)230
200 minus 15%=200*(1-15%)170
8% of 50=50*8%4

Share of total for a column

Put the total in one cell, such as C10, and lock it with dollar signs: =B2/$C$10. Copy down and every row divides by the same total. See absolute references.

Common mistakes

  • Using 15 instead of 15% (0.15) in a formula multiplies by 15 instead of 0.15, so the answer is 100 times too big.
  • Dividing by the new value instead of the old one in percent change.
  • Forgetting that percentage points and percent change are different things.

For business percentages such as margin, see the gross margin calculator or the discount calculator.

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    Frequently asked questions

    How do I format a cell as a percentage?

    Select it and press Ctrl+Shift+%, or use Home > Number > Percentage.

    How do I calculate percent change when the old value is zero?

    The result is undefined. Wrap it in IFERROR or IF to show a dash.

    Why does Excel show 0.25 instead of 25%?

    The cell is formatted as General or Number. Apply the Percentage format.

    How do I add 10% to a price?

    Multiply by 1.1, for example =A2*1.1 or =A2*(1+10%).

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    More free tools: All free tools · Discount calculator · Gross margin calculator · Absolute references