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Percentage Point Calculator

Calculate the difference between two percentages in percentage points.
Compare the change and understand how it differs from percent change.

Calculate Percentage Point Difference

Enter the original and new percentages.

Try:20% to 25%45% to 40%12.5% to 17.5%

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YOUR RESULT

Percentage Point Change

Original percentage = 20%; new percentage = 25%

+5 percentage points

The percentage increased by 5 percentage points.

Relative percent change: +25%

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Calculation Breakdown

Subtract the original percentage from the new percentage. The difference is measured in percentage points.

Percentage Point Change = New Percentage − Original Percentage

= 25% − 20%

= +5 percentage points

Formula Used

Percentage-point change is the arithmetic difference between two percentage values.

Percentage Point ChangeNew Percentage − Original Percentage

25% − 20% = +5 percentage points

A positive result means an increase; a negative result means a decrease.

Step-by-Step Solution

Follow these steps to understand the difference and the relative percent change.

Identify the original and new percentagesOriginal = 20%; New = 25%

Subtract the original from the new percentage25 − 20 = +5 percentage points

Calculate relative percent change((25 − 20) ÷ 20) × 100 = +25%

LEARN THE CONCEPT

What Is a Percentage Point?

A percentage point is the arithmetic difference between two percentages. If a rate rises from 20% to 25%, it has increased by 5 percentage points. Percentage points are useful for comparing rates, survey results, interest rates, conversion rates, unemployment rates, and polling results.

Percentage points are not the same as percent change. In this example, the change is 5 percentage points, while the relative percent increase is 25% because the increase of 5 is divided by the original 20 and multiplied by 100.

FORMULA EXPLAINED

How to Calculate Percentage Points

Subtract the original percentage from the new percentage. Keep the direction of the change: positive for an increase and negative for a decrease.

Percentage Point Change=New Percentage − Original Percentage

Worked Example

A rate increases from 20% to 25%

Percentage point change: 25 − 20 = 5

Relative percent change: (5 ÷ 20) × 100

= 5 percentage points, or a 25% relative increase

Percentage Point Examples

20% to 25%+5 points→45% to 40%−5 points→10% to 10%0 points→2.5% to 7.5%+5 points→

Related Percentage Formulas

Percentage point changeNew % − Original %

Relative percent change((New % − Original %) ÷ Original %) × 100

New percentageOriginal % + Point Change

Original percentageNew % − Point Change

Relative percent change is undefined when the original percentage is zero.

Percentage Point Calculator FAQs

What is the formula for percentage point change?

Subtract the original percentage from the new percentage: New percentage − Original percentage.

What is the difference between percentage points and percent?

Percentage points describe the direct difference between two percentages. Percent change describes that difference relative to the original value.

Is an increase from 20% to 25% a 5% increase?

It is an increase of 5 percentage points. The relative percent increase is 25%, calculated as ((25 − 20) ÷ 20) × 100.

Can percentage point change be negative?

Yes. If the new percentage is lower than the original percentage, the result is negative and indicates a decrease.

What if the original percentage is zero?

The percentage-point difference can still be calculated. However, relative percent change cannot be calculated using the usual formula because it divides by the original percentage.

Can I enter decimal percentages?

Yes. You can enter values such as 12.5% or 3.75%; the calculator supports decimal inputs.