Calculate the difference between two percentage values in percentage points and the relative change in percentages.
The Percentage Point Calculator shows how much two percentage values differ from each other in percentage points and how significant the change is relatively in percentages. Mixing these up is a common mistake in news and reports.
The calculator is free, works in your browser without registration, and displays the result as soon as you change the values. The calculation is done on your device, and the information you enter is not sent anywhere.
Difference in percentage points = new % − original %. Relative change = (new − original) / original × 100 %.
If the interest rate rises from 20 percent to 25 percent, it increases by 5 percentage points, which is a 25 percent relative increase. With default settings, the calculator gives the result: Change in percentage points +5.00 pp.
For journalists, students, and analysts who want to express the change correctly: in percentage points or percentages.
It is the direct difference between two percentage values. If 10 % rises to 12 percent, the increase is 2 percentage points.
It indicates how much the percentage value has changed compared to the original. In the previous example, 20 %.
Use percentage points when you are describing the difference between percentage values. Use percentages when you are describing relative growth.