How to Calculate Percentage in Excel

Calculate percentages, percentage change, and increases in Excel with practical formulas and correct percentage formatting.
Excel
=B2/C2

Direct answer

Quick answer

Divide the part by the total, then format the result as a percentage. If the part is in B2 and the total is in C2, use =B2/C2.

Percentage of a total

Excel
=B2/C2

Divides the part in B2 by the total in C2.

Percentage change

Excel
=(C2-B2)/B2

Compares the new value in C2 with the original value in B2.

Increase by a percentage

Excel
=B2*(1+C2)

Raises the amount in B2 by the percentage stored in C2.

Decrease by a percentage

Excel
=B2*(1-C2)

Reduces the amount in B2 by the percentage stored in C2.

Percentage format shortcut

Excel
Ctrl+Shift+%

Applies Percentage format to selected cells in Excel for Windows.

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Exam score percentage

Cell D2 divides 42 correct answers by 50 total questions and displays the decimal result as 84%.

StudentCorrect (B)Total (C)Percentage (D)
Avery425084%
Jordan385076%
Sam475094%

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Enter the part and total

    Put the part or achieved amount in B2 and the total possible amount in C2.

  2. Divide the part by the total

    Select D2, type =B2/C2, and press Enter.

  3. Apply percentage formatting

    Select D2 and choose Home > Number > Percent Style, or press Ctrl+Shift+% on Windows.

  4. Fill the formula down

    Drag the fill handle down to calculate the percentage for the remaining rows.

Percentage change, increase, and decrease examples

CalculationInputsExcel formulaResult
Change from $80 to $100B2 = 80; C2 = 100=(C2-B2)/B225% increase
Change from $100 to $80B2 = 100; C2 = 80=(C2-B2)/B2-20% (20% decrease)
Increase $80 by 25%B2 = 80; C2 = 25%=B2*(1+C2)$100
Decrease $80 by 25%B2 = 80; C2 = 25%=B2*(1-C2)$60

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Do not multiply =B2/C2 by 100 and then also apply Percentage format; that displays a result 100 times too large.
  • Use the original value as the denominator in a percentage-change formula: =(new-original)/original.
  • Guard against a zero total when needed, for example with =IF(C2=0,"",B2/C2).

Official references: Microsoft: Format numbers as percentages in Excel

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