Percentages — quick reference
A percentage is a number expressed as a fraction of 100. They show up everywhere: discounts, tax, body fat readings, macros as a share of calories, progress toward a goal. The five calculation modes above cover most real-world cases.
FAQs
How do you calculate a percentage by hand?
Divide the part by the whole and multiply by 100. Example: 25 out of 200 → 25 ÷ 200 × 100 = 12.5%.
Can a percentage be over 100?
Yes. It just means the amount exceeds the original reference. If sales went from 100 to 250, that's a 150% increase.
What's the difference between percentage and percentage points?
Percentage points are the raw arithmetic difference. If a rate goes from 5% to 8%, it increased by 3 percentage points — but by 60% in relative terms.