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

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

FormulaPercentage = |A − B| ÷ ((A + B) ÷ 2) × 100

With the default numbersPercentage = |120 − 150| ÷ ((120 + 150) ÷ 2) × 100

AnswerPercentage = 22.22 %

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

QHow 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.

QCan you walk through an example?

With A 120, B 150, the answer is Percentage 22.22%.

QWhat do I need to enter?

Enter A, B. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.

QHow 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.

QHow 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.

QAnything to watch out for?

Use this for two measurements. If the values are before-and-after in time, percent change is the right tool.

Related calculators

Percent of a NumberFind what a given percentage of a value comes to.A is What Percent of BFind what share a part represents out of a whole.Percent ChangeFind the percentage increase or decrease between two values.Percentage Point vs PercentTell apart a 1-point rise and a 25% rise when a rate goes from 4% to 5%.

Tax rates and interest conventions differ by country and product — check your contract for real transactions.