Percentage Difference Calculator
Find the percentage difference and percentage change between two numbers.
Percentage differencecompares two values symmetrically, relative to their average — order doesn't matter. Percentage changeis directional, measured from value 1 to value 2. People often mean different things by "% difference", so both are shown. Calculated in your browser.
Enter two numbers to get the percentage difference between them — measured symmetrically against their average, so the order doesn't matter — plus the percentage change from the first to the second, which is directional. People mean different things by 'percent difference', so both are shown with their formulas. Everything runs in your browser.
How to use the Percentage Difference Calculator
- Enter the first and second values.
- Read the percentage difference (symmetric) and percentage change (directional).
- Pick the one that matches what you need.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between percentage difference and percentage change?
Percentage difference compares two values relative to their average, so it's symmetric (the order doesn't matter). Percentage change measures the move from a starting value to a new one and depends on which is the start.
How is percentage difference calculated?
Percentage difference = |a − b| ÷ ((a + b) ÷ 2) × 100. The denominator is the average of the two values.
Which one should I use?
Use percentage change when there's a clear 'before and after' (e.g. price went up). Use percentage difference when comparing two independent measurements neutrally.