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Percentage Increase Calculator

By Cedrick Reese · Reviewed August 2026

Find out how much a value has gone up, expressed as a percentage of where it started. Enter the original value and the new, higher value below.

This percentage increase calculator finds how much a value went up, expressed as a percentage of where it started. If you're not sure the value will always go up — it could go either way — use the Percentage Change Calculator instead, which handles increases and decreases in one tool.

Formula: Increase % = ((New − Original) ÷ |Original|) × 100

Calculate percentage increase

The starting number, before the increase.

The ending number, after the increase.

Percentage increase

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The percentage increase formula

Percentage increase uses the same formula as percentage change — it's simply the case where the result comes out positive:

Increase % = ((New − Original) ÷ |Original|) × 100

Worked examples

A salary moves from $52,000 to $58,000. What's the percentage increase?

Increase % = ((58,000 − 52,000) ÷ 52,000) × 100 = (6,000 ÷ 52,000) × 100 ≈ 11.54%

Going the other way: applying a known percentage increase

If you already know the percentage and want the resulting value, multiply the original number by (1 + percentage ÷ 100). A 20% increase on 200 is 200 × 1.20 = 240.

Frequently asked questions

What if the result comes out negative?

A negative result means the value actually decreased, not increased. This calculator will tell you that directly and point you to the Percentage Change Calculator, which handles both directions without assuming an increase.

How do I find the new value after a known percentage increase?

Multiply the original number by (1 + percentage ÷ 100). A 20% increase on 200 is 200 × 1.20 = 240. This is the reverse of what this calculator solves — here you're going from percentage back to a dollar or unit value.

Is percentage increase the same as percentage change?

Percentage increase is percentage change limited to the positive case. Both use the identical formula: ((New − Original) ÷ |Original|) × 100. If you're not sure the direction will always be upward, the Percentage Change Calculator handles either direction automatically.

Does this work for repeated increases over multiple periods?

This calculator finds a single increase between two values. If a number increases repeatedly — year over year, for example — each period's increase needs to be calculated against that period's own starting value, not chained through one formula. Run the calculator once per period for accurate results.

Sources

Calculators

Percentage Change Calculator Find the percentage change between an old value and a new value. Percentage Decrease Calculator Find how much a value went down, as a percentage of where it started. Percentage of a Number Calculator Find what a percentage of a number equals, or what percent one number is of another. Percentage Difference Calculator Compare two values fairly when neither one is the original. Reverse Percentage Calculator Find the original value before a discount, tax, or increase was applied.

Guides

Percentage Change in Excel The exact Excel formula for percentage change, with the IFERROR pattern for zero values. How to Calculate Percentage Change: Step-by-Step Guide The four-step manual method, with worked examples including a negative starting value. Understanding Year-over-Year (YoY) Percentage Change The YoY formula, the same-period matching rule, and how it compares to MoM and QoQ.

This calculator is provided for general informational purposes and is not financial, tax, or professional advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.

Cedrick Reese, Founder

I'm Cedrick Reese, a retired veteran and web developer who built PercentageChangeCalculators.com as part of Ready Utilities, my collection of free, user-friendly online tools. My journey began in the early 2000s with affiliate marketing and niche site development, which grew into a passion for creating practical digital utilities and calculators. After retiring, I earned a Computer Systems Technician certificate from UEI College, completed Electro-Mechanical Technologies at Tulsa Welding School, and finished the Carpentry program at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Today, I combine my technical background and craftsmanship by building furniture using traditional woodworking methods, gardening, and developing helpful online tools for users worldwide.