Calculation Breakdown
First, subtract the new value from the original value to find how much the value decreased.
Decrease = Original value − New value
= 100 − 80 = 20
Percentage decrease = (20 ÷ 100) × 100 = 20%
Calculate the percentage decrease between an original value and a new value.
Learn the percentage decrease formula with clear, step-by-step calculations.
Enter the original value and the reduced value.
From 100 to 80
20%The value decreased by 20%. 20 units were reduced.
Absolute change: -20
First, subtract the new value from the original value to find how much the value decreased.
Decrease = Original value − New value
= 100 − 80 = 20
Percentage decrease = (20 ÷ 100) × 100 = 20%
Percentage decrease compares the difference with the original value.
(100 − 80) ÷ 100 × 100 = 20%
The original value must be greater than zero because it is the denominator.
Follow these steps to understand how the final percentage is obtained.
Percentage decrease tells you how much a value has fallen compared with its original amount. For example, if a price drops from 100 to 80, the decrease is 20 units. Since 20 is one-fifth of the original 100, the percentage decrease is 20%.
This calculation is useful for discounts, price drops, reduced expenses, lower scores, and changes in sales or measurements. The new value is normally lower than the original value for a percentage decrease.
Subtract the new value from the original value to find the decrease. Divide the decrease by the original value, then multiply by 100.
Step 1: 100 − 80 = 20
Step 2: 20 ÷ 100 = 0.2
Step 3: 0.2 × 100
= 20% decreaseFor a decrease, subtract the new value from the original value before dividing by the original value. If the new value is higher, the values show an increase instead.
Subtract the new value from the original value, divide that decrease by the original value, and multiply by 100: ((Original − New) ÷ Original) × 100.
If the new value is higher than the original value, the values show an increase instead. The signed percentage-decrease result will be negative, and the calculator explains that it is an increase.
The formula divides by the original value. Division by zero is undefined, so percentage decrease cannot be calculated from an original value of zero.
Absolute change is the numerical difference between two values. Percentage decrease shows that difference relative to the original value.