Excel offers simple and flexible ways to perform percentage calculations. Whether you're calculating a percentage of a number, finding percentage changes, or applying discounts, Excel has you covered. Below are various methods for handling percentage calculations in Excel, with examples for each approach.

How To Calculate Percentage in Excel?

1. Calculating a Basic Percentage of a Number

How to find percentage in Excel:

Formula: =Percentage*Number

Example: To calculate 15% of 600, in any cell, type:

=15%*600

Press Enter. The result will be 90

Basic percentage in Excel

2. Calculating the Difference Between Values in Percentage

To determine how much a value has increased or decreased in percentage:

Formula: =(New Value - Original Value) / Original Value

Example: If the original value is in cell A1 (say 400) and the new value is in cell B1 (say 500), in cell C1, type:

=(B1-A1)/A1

Press Enter, then change the format to percentage. The result will show a 25% increase.

Calculating the Difference Between Values in Percentage in Excel

3. Finding What Percentage One Number Is of Another

To find what percentage one number is of another:

Formula: =Part / Whole

Example: To find what percentage 400 is of 500, in any cell, type:

=400/500

Press Enter. The result will be 0.80. Change the format to percentage to display 80%.

Finding What Percentage One Number Is of Another in Excel

4. Increasing or Decreasing a Number by a Specific Percentage

To adjust a number by a certain percentage:

To Increase:

Formula: =Number*(1+Percentage)

Example: To increase 150 by 10%, type:

=150*(1+10%)

Press Enter to get 165.

To Decrease:

Formula: =Number*(1-Percentage)

Example: To decrease 150 by 10%, type:

=150*(1-10%)

Press Enter to get 135.

Calculating Percentage Increase or Decrease in Excel

5. Applying a Percentage Discount to a Price

To apply a discount:

Formula: =Price*(1-Discount Percentage)

Example: To apply a 20% discount to a INR 500 item, type:

=500*(1-20%)

Press Enter, and the discounted price will be INR 400.

Applying a Percentage Discount to a Price in Excel

6. Calculating the Total Including a Percentage (e.g., Sales Tax)

To calculate the total cost including an additional percentage, such as sales tax:

Formula: =Price*(1+Tax Percentage)

Example: If an item costs INR 800 and the sales tax is 5%, type:

=800*(1+5%)

Press Enter, and the total cost will be INR 840.

Quick Tips for Working with Percentage in Excel

Precision: Be mindful of Excel's precision settings if you are working with very small or very large numbers.
Use Parentheses for Clarity: When combining multiple operations in a single formula, use parentheses to ensure that calculations are performed in the correct order.
Apply percentage formula in Excel multiple cells: After typing the formula in the first cell, use the fill handle (a small square at the bottom-right corner of the selected cell.

By following these steps and tips for using percentage formula in Excel, you can effectively perform calculations for a wide range of scenarios, from basic calculations to more complex percentage changes and adjustments.

How to Calculate Percentage in Excel: Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is one of the basic percentage formulas in Excel?

The basic percentage formula in Excel is =Part/Total. This formula divides the part by the total to calculate the percentage.

Q2. How do I format a cell as a percent in MS Excel?

To format a cell as a percentage, select the cell, right-click, choose "Format Cells," select "Percentage," and click "OK." This will display the number as a percentage.

Q3. Can I calculate percentages without using excel percentage formula?

Yes, you can calculate percentages manually. For example, multiply the total by the desired percentage and divide by 100 to find the part.

Q4. How can I find the percentage of a total in Excel?

To find the percentage of a total, use the formula =(Part/Total)*100. This will give you the percentage values directly.

Q5. What is the shortcut for inserting Excel formulas?

The shortcut for inserting formulas in Excel is to press = followed by your formula. For example, =A1/B1 calculates the percentage of A1 relative to B1.

Q6. How do I calculate percentage change in Excel?

To calculate percentage change, use the excel formula =((New Value - Old Value) / Old Value) * 100. This provides the change expressed as a percentage.

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Edited by

Shreeya Thakur

Sr. Associate Content Writer at Unstop

I am a biotechnologist-turned-content writer and try to add an element of science in my writings wherever possible. Apart from writing, I like to cook, read and travel.