Calculation Breakdown
Percentage difference compares the absolute difference with the average of both values.
Absolute difference = |100 − 80| = 20
Average = (80 + 100) ÷ 2 = 90
(20 ÷ 90) × 100 = 22.2222%
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Percentage Difference Calculator
Find the percentage difference between two values using their average.
Learn the formula and follow each calculation step.
01
Calculate Percentage Difference
Enter two values to compare them fairly.
YOUR RESULT
Percentage Difference Result
Comparing 80 and 100
22.2222%The percentage difference between the two values is 22.2222%.
Absolute difference: 20
✓VerifiedCalculation
Formula Used
This formula uses the average of the two values as the reference.
Percentage Difference
|Value 1 − Value 2| ÷ ((Value 1 + Value 2) ÷ 2) × 100
|80 − 100| ÷ ((80 + 100) ÷ 2) × 100 = 22.2222%
Both values must be non-negative, and they cannot both be zero because the average would be zero.
Step-by-Step Solution
Follow these steps to see exactly how the percentage difference is found.
1
Find the absolute difference|100 − 80| = 20
2
Calculate the average(80 + 100) ÷ 2 = 90
3
Divide the difference by the average20 ÷ 90 = 0.222222
4
Convert the ratio to a percentage0.222222 × 100 = 22.2222%
LEARN THE CONCEPT
What Is Percentage Difference?
Percentage difference shows how far apart two values are relative to their average. It is useful when comparing two measurements and neither value is necessarily the starting or original value. For example, it can help compare measurements from two experiments, prices from two sellers, or results recorded by two methods.
Unlike percentage change, percentage difference treats both values equally. It uses the absolute difference, so switching the first and second values does not change the answer. When comparing a before-and-after value with a clear starting point, a percentage increase or decrease calculation may be more appropriate.
FORMULA EXPLAINED
How to Calculate Percentage Difference
Subtract one value from the other and take the absolute value. Find the average of the two values, divide the absolute difference by that average, and multiply by 100.
Percentage Difference=
|Value 1 − Value 2| ÷ ((Value 1 + Value 2) ÷ 2) × 100
Worked Example
Compare 80 and 100
Difference = |100 − 80| = 20
Average = (80 + 100) ÷ 2 = 90
= (20 ÷ 90) × 100 = 22.2222%Percentage Difference Examples
Percentage Difference Formulas
Absolute difference|Value 1 − Value 2|
Average of two values(Value 1 + Value 2) ÷ 2
Percentage differenceAbsolute difference ÷ Average × 100
Percentage change(New − Original) ÷ Original × 100
Percentage difference is symmetric. Percentage change is directional and uses the original value as its base.
Percentage Difference Calculator FAQs
What is the formula for percentage difference?
Take the absolute difference between the two values, divide it by their average, and multiply by 100: |Value 1 − Value 2| ÷ ((Value 1 + Value 2) ÷ 2) × 100.
Is percentage difference the same as percentage change?
No. Percentage difference uses the average of the two values and treats them equally. Percentage change uses the original or starting value as the base and indicates an increase or decrease.
Can the percentage difference be negative?
No. The formula uses the absolute difference, so the result is zero or positive.
What if both values are the same?
The absolute difference is zero, so the percentage difference is 0%, provided the values are not both zero.
Can I calculate percentage difference if both values are zero?
No. Their average is zero, which would make the formula divide by zero. The percentage difference is undefined for two zero values.