Percentage Difference
The difference is divided by the average of the two, so unlike percent change, swapping A and B gives the same answer.
Your numbers
Percentage
22.22%
Difference
30
Formula
Percentage = |A − B| ÷ ((A + B) ÷ 2) × 100
Use this for two measurements. If the values are before-and-after in time, percent change is the right tool.
What to enter
| Input | Default | Accepted range |
|---|---|---|
| AThe first number of the ratio — the 2 in 2:3. | 120 | 0 and up |
| BThe second number of the ratio — the 3 in 2:3. | 150 | 0 and up |
Step by step
Quick reference table
Results when only A changes and everything else stays put.
| A | Percentage (%) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 85.71 | 90 |
| 90 | 50 | 60 |
| 120 | 22.22 | 30 |
| 180 | 18.18 | 30 |
| 240 | 46.15 | 90 |
What each result means
| Result | At default values |
|---|---|
| Percentage (%)A share expressed out of 100. | 22.22 |
| DifferenceThe gap between two values — a quantity, not a rate. | 30 |
Common mistakes
Use this for two measurements. If the values are before-and-after in time, percent change is the right tool.
Glossary
- A
- The first number of the ratio — the 2 in 2:3.
- B
- The second number of the ratio — the 3 in 2:3.
- Percentage
- A share expressed out of 100.
- Difference
- The gap between two values — a quantity, not a rate.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is Percentage Difference calculated?
Percentage = |A − B| ÷ ((A + B) ÷ 2) × 100 — The difference is divided by the average of the two, so unlike percent change, swapping A and B gives the same answer.
Q. Can you walk through an example?
With A 120, B 150, the answer is Percentage 22.22%.
Q. What do I need to enter?
Enter A, B. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.
Q. How much does the answer move if I change a number?
Changing only A moves the answer to A 60 → Percentage (%) 85.71 and A 240 → Percentage (%) 46.15. The table below lays out five steps.
Q. How are the numbers rounded?
Money is shown to the nearest whole unit, percentages to one decimal place and everything else to two. What you see is rounded; the calculation itself carries the unrounded value forward.
Q. Anything to watch out for?
Use this for two measurements. If the values are before-and-after in time, percent change is the right tool.
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