Percentage Calculator: Calculate Percentages Online

Percentages are everywhere—whether you’re calculating discounts during a big sale, tracking exam scores, or comparing home loan interest rates. Understanding percentages helps with budgeting, investments, health, and even sports statistics.

A percentage expresses a number as a fraction of 100 and is widely used in finance, education, health, and daily life to analyse data and make informed decisions.

How to Calculate a Percentage?

To calculate a percentage, use this simple formula:

Percentage = (Part ÷ Total) × 100

For example

For example, if you have 10 pieces of biltong and you eat 4:

4 ÷ 10 = 0.40

0.40 × 100 = 40%

So, you ate 40% of the biltong.

How Are Percentages Used in Everyday Life?

Shopping: Discounts & Sales

You’re shopping at Woolworths, and a pair of shoes originally priced at R1,000 is 25% off.

To calculate the discount percentage:

1,000 × 0.25 = R250

You save R250, and the final price is:

1,000 - 250 = R750

Retail stores use percentage discounts to attract customers and boost sales.

Finance: Home Loans & Savings Rates

Percentages are crucial in banking, especially for mortgage rates and savings interest.

If your bank offers 6% interest on a R50,000 savings account, your yearly earnings are:

50,000 × 0.06 = R3,000

So, your savings earn R3,000 per year. The higher the percentage, the more you earn!

Health & Nutrition: Food Labels

Ever checked a food label and seen “10% sugar” on a juice bottle? That means in 100ml of the drink, 10ml is sugar.

If the bottle contains 500ml, how much sugar does it have?

500 × 0.10 = 50ml of sugar

Understanding percentages in nutrition helps you make healthier choices.

How to Calculate a Percentage Increase?

A percentage increase shows how much something has grown compared to its original value.

Formula:

Percentage Increase = ((New Value − Old Value) ÷ Old Value) × 100

How to Calculate a Percentage Increase?

If your electricity bill was R800 last month, but this month it’s R1,000:

1,000 - 800 = 200

200 ÷ 800 = 0.25

0.25 × 100 = 25%

Your electricity bill increased by 25%.

How to Calculate a Percentage Decrease?

A percentage decrease shows how much something has reduced from its original value.

Formula:

Percentage Decrease = ((Old Value − New Value) ÷ Old Value) × 100

How to Calculate a Percentage Decrease?

For example, a Samsung smartphone originally cost R18,000, but now it’s on sale for R15,000:

18,000 - 15,000 = 3,000

3,000 ÷ 18,000 = 0.1667

0.1667 × 100 = 16.67%

So, the smartphone is now 16.67% cheaper.

How to Calculate a Reverse Percentage?

A reverse percentage helps you find the original price before a discount or increase.

Let's say you bought a laptop for R9,000 after a 10% discount, but you want to know the original price.

Since R9,000 represents 90% of the original price:

9,000 ÷ 0.90 = R10,000

So, the original price was R10,000 before the discount.

How to Calculate a Percentage in Excel?

Microsoft Excel makes percentage calculations easy.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Enter your data in two columns (e.g., "Part" and "Total").
• In the next column, enter this formula:=(A2 ÷ B2) × 100
• Press Enter, and Excel will calculate the percentage.
• Drag the formula down to apply it to multiple rows.

How to Calculate Body Fat Percentage?

Body fat percentage is a key metric in fitness and health tracking. It helps measure how much of your body weight is fat compared to lean mass (muscles, bones, and water).

Formula for Body Fat Percentage:

For men:

Body Fat % = (1.20 × BMI) + (0.23 × Age) - 16.2

For women:

Body Fat % = (1.20 × BMI) + (0.23 × Age) - 5.4

For example

If Sipho, a 30-year-old man, has a BMI of 24:

(1.20 × 24) + (0.23 × 30) - 16.2 = 19.5% body fat

So, Sipho's body fat percentage is 19.5%, which falls within a healthy range.

How to Convert a Percentage to a Grade?

South African schools and universities use percentage-based grading systems.

If you scored 85% in an exam at UCT, your grade is A (Distinction).

How to Calculate VAT (Value-Added Tax) in South Africa?

South Africa has a 15% VAT on most goods and services.

To add VAT to a price:

Price with VAT = Original Price × 1.15

To remove VAT from a price:

Original Price = Price with VAT ÷ 1.15

For example

If a new fridge costs R5,750 including VAT:

5,750 ÷ 1.15 = R5,000

So, the fridge costs R5,000 before VAT.

How to Calculate Win Percentage in Sports?

Are you a sports fan? Or maybe you’re part of a local soccer or rugby team? Win percentage is a simple way to measure performance over a season. It tells you how often a team wins compared to the total number of games played.

Formula:

Win Percentage = (Wins ÷ Total Games) × 100

For example

Let's say the Springboks played 10 matches and won 8:

(8 ÷ 10) × 100 = 80%

So, their win percentage is 80%.

How to Calculate Profit Percentage?

Whether you’re running a small business, selling products online, or managing a side hustle, knowing your profit percentage helps you understand how much money you’re making. It’s a key metric in business, helping you set the right prices and track performance. Here's how to calculate it:

Formula:

Profit Percentage = (Profit ÷ Cost Price) × 100

For example, if you buy a product for R200 and sell it for R300:

Profit = 300 - 200 = R100

(100 ÷ 200) × 100 = 50%

So, your profit margin is 50%.

How to Calculate Discount Percentage?

Whether you’re shopping for clothes, electronics, or groceries, understanding discount percentages can help you spot the best deals and save money. Retail stores in South Africa often offer discounts during seasonal sales, Black Friday, or special promotions. Knowing how to calculate a discount helps you quickly figure out how much you’re actually saving.

Formula:

Discount Percentage = (Discount Amount ÷ Original Price) × 100

If a Nike sports shoe originally costs R2,500 and is now available at a 20% discount:

To find the discount amount:

2,500 × 0.20 = R500

To find the final price:

2,500 - 500 = R2,000

So, you save R500, and the shoe now costs R2,000.

Nishadh Mohammed

Nishadh Mohammed is a seasoned news editor and financial writer, working with HelloSafe since May 2023. Nishadh has developed expertise in financial markets, insurance, and investment products, with a deep understanding of the Canadian financial landscape. He has honed his SEO skills and content marketing strategies while writing for Canadian publishing houses. Armed with a master's in Business Analytics and extensive journalistic experience, Nishadh uniquely combines data proficiency and thorough research to deliver comprehensive and accessible information.