Percentage point calculator
Calculate the difference in percentage points between two percentages. Enter the old and new values and immediately get the percentage point difference, including an explanation.
What is a percentage point difference?
A difference of one percentage point indicates the absolute difference between two percentages. This is different from a percentage increase or decrease.
Example
If an interest rate rises from 5% to 7%, the difference is:
7% − 5% = 2 percentage points
This does not mean that interest rates have risen by 2%, but by 2 percentage points.
Formula for percentage point difference
percentage point difference = new percentage − old percentage
When do you use percentage points?
- Interest rate changes
- Unemployment rates
- Inflation figures
- Election results
- Statistical reports
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a percentage and a percentage point?
A percentage point is the difference between two percentages. A percentage change calculates the relative increase or decrease compared to the original value.
Can the percentage point difference be negative?
Yes, if the new percentage is lower than the old percentage, you get a negative percentage point difference.