Percentage Points Calculator
A percentage point is a unit of measurement for the absolute difference between two percentages. For example, if an interest rate increases from 2% to 5%, the increase is 3 percentage points, not 3%. Percentage points are commonly used in discussions of interest rates, unemployment, approval ratings, election results, and academic performance. The key distinction is between percentage points (the direct difference) and percentages (relative change). Going from 10% to 15% is a 5 percentage point increase (absolute difference of 5) and also a 50% relative increase (because 5 is 50% of the original 10). This calculator finds the difference in percentage points and also calculates the relative percentage change for comparison.
Percentage points and percentage change formulas
Percentage points = new rate - old rate
Percentage change = ((new rate - old rate) / old rate) * 100
Common examples
| Old rate | New rate | Percentage points change | Relative percentage change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2% | 3% | 1 pp | 50% |
| 5% | 7% | 2 pp | 40% |
| 10% | 15% | 5 pp | 50% |
| 25% | 30% | 5 pp | 20% |
| 50% | 45% | -5 pp | -10% |
Percentage points calculator: frequently asked questions
What is a percentage point?
A percentage point is a unit of measurement for percentage differences. If an interest rate goes from 2% to 5%, the increase is 3 percentage points, not 3%. The term 'percentage point' is used to avoid ambiguity: saying '3 percentage points' clearly means the absolute difference, while '3 percent' could mean a relative change.
What is the difference between percentage points and percentages?
Percentage points are the direct difference between two percentages. Percentages are relative. For example, going from 10% to 15% is a 5 percentage point increase (15 - 10 = 5) but a 50% relative increase (5/10 * 100 = 50%). Percentage points describe the absolute change, while percentages describe the relative change.
How do I calculate percentage points?
The formula is simple: percentage points = new percentage - old percentage. For example, if unemployment was 5% and becomes 7%, the change is 7 - 5 = 2 percentage points. This is an absolute arithmetic difference, not a percentage calculation.
When should I use percentage points?
Use percentage points when discussing rates, rates of change, or comparisons of percentages. Examples include interest rates (the Fed raised the rate by 0.25 percentage points), unemployment (joblessness fell by 1 percentage point), approval ratings (the president's approval rose by 3 percentage points), and academic scores (test performance improved by 8 percentage points).
Can percentage points be negative?
Yes. If a percentage decreases, the percentage point change is negative. For example, going from 15% to 10% is a -5 percentage point change. Negative percentage points indicate a decrease in the underlying percentage.
Official sources
- Standard mathematical definitions and formulas for percentage points and percentage change.
- NIST Special Publication 330: The International System of Units.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.