How to Calculate Percentage (Formula, Steps, Examples, FAQs)

How to Calculate Percentage (Formula, Steps, Examples, FAQs)

Introduction

Percentages are used everywhere — from exams and discounts to finance and statistics. Understanding how to calculate percentage is essential for students, professionals, and daily life calculations.

In this guide, you will learn:

  • The formula for percentage
  • Step-by-step calculation
  • Examples from real life
  • Percentage calculation in Excel & Calculator
  • FAQs people often search

What is Percentage?

Percentage means a number or ratio expressed out of 100. The symbol for percentage is %.

👉 Example: If you score 75 marks out of 100, then you got 75%.

Formula to Calculate Percentage

The general formula is: Percentage (%)=Value ObtainedTotal Value×100\text{Percentage (\%)} = \frac{\text{Value Obtained}}{\text{Total Value}} \times 100

Step-by-Step: How to Calculate Percentage

Example 1: Exam Marks

You scored 420 marks out of 500. Percentage=420500×100=84%\text{Percentage} = \frac{420}{500} \times 100 = 84\%

👉 Your percentage is 84%.

Example 2: Discount in Shopping

A product costs ₹2000, and there’s a discount of ₹400. Percentage Discount=4002000×100=20%\text{Percentage Discount} = \frac{400}{2000} \times 100 = 20\%

👉 You got a 20% discount.

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How to Calculate Percentage Increase or Decrease

Formula for Increase:

Percentage Increase=New Value – Old ValueOld Value×100\text{Percentage Increase} = \frac{\text{New Value – Old Value}}{\text{Old Value}} \times 100

👉 Example: A stock price rises from ₹100 to ₹120. 120−100100×100=20%\frac{120 – 100}{100} \times 100 = 20\%

👉 20% increase.

Formula for Decrease:

Percentage Decrease=Old Value – New ValueOld Value×100\text{Percentage Decrease} = \frac{\text{Old Value – New Value}}{\text{Old Value}} \times 100

👉 Example: Price drops from ₹500 to ₹400. 500−400500×100=20%\frac{500 – 400}{500} \times 100 = 20\%

👉 20% decrease.

Percentage Conversion Examples

Fraction/DecimalPercentage
0.2525%
0.550%
0.7575%
1100%
1/520%
3/475%
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How to Calculate Percentage in Excel

Basic Formula:

If cell A1 = obtained marks, and B1 = total marks:

=A1/B1*100

👉 Example: A1 = 420, B1 = 500 → Result = 84

Formatting:

Select the cell → Right Click → Format → Percentage (%)

How to Calculate Percentage Using Calculator

  1. Divide the obtained value by total value.
  2. Multiply result by 100.
  3. Add % sign.

👉 Example: 56 out of 80 →
56 ÷ 80 = 0.7 → 0.7 × 100 = 70%

FAQs on Percentage

1. What is the easiest way to calculate percentage?

👉 Use the formula: (Obtained ÷ Total) × 100.

2. How to find percentage without a calculator?

👉 Do division first, then multiply by 100.

3. How do you calculate 20% of a number?

👉 Multiply the number by 0.20. Example: 20% of 250 = 250 × 0.20 = 50.

4. How to calculate percentage marks?

👉 Divide obtained marks by total marks, then ×100.

5. What is 1% of a number?

👉 Divide the number by 100. Example: 1% of 500 = 5.

Conclusion

Calculating percentage is simple once you know the formula and method.

  • Formula: (Value ÷ Total) × 100
  • Use it for marks, discounts, profits, and growth rates.
  • Excel and calculators make percentage calculation faster.

By practicing these examples, you can easily solve any percentage-related problem in exams, shopping, or financial calculations.

Must Read:

  1. How to calculate Profit and Loss?
  2. How to calculate EMI?
  3. How to calculate Interest?
  4. How to calculate age?

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