Enter two percentages to see both the plain point difference and the relative percent change between them, side by side.
A move from 20% to 25% is a 5 percentage-point increase, but it’s a 25% relative increase (5 divided by the original 20%). Headlines often blur these two, which can make a change sound bigger or smaller than it really is depending on which one is used.
Starting percentage: %
Ending percentage: %
Why These Two Numbers Are Different
A move from 20% to 25% is a 5 percentage-point increase, but it’s a 25% relative increase (5 divided by the original 20%). Headlines often blur these two, which can make a change sound bigger or smaller than it really is depending on which one is used.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the starting percentage.
- Enter the ending percentage.
- Click Explain to see both the percentage-point difference and the percent change.
Neither number is wrong; they answer different questions. The point difference is the plain gap between the two percentages, while the percent change measures that gap relative to the starting value.
Did You Know?
- Percentage points are an absolute measure, while percent change is always relative to the starting number.
- The same 5-point move produces a much larger percent change when the starting percentage is small (say, 2% to 7%) than when it’s large (say, 60% to 65%).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which number should I use when reporting a change?
Percentage points are usually clearer for comparing two rates directly (like interest rates or approval ratings), while percent change is more useful for showing relative growth or decline.
What if the starting percentage is 0%?
Percent change is undefined when the starting value is 0, since you can’t divide by zero; only the point difference applies in that case.