Formula guide · Excel and Google Sheets · Updated May 13, 2026
Percent Change Formula
Calculate percentage increase or decrease between an old value and a new value.
Quick Answer
Subtract the old value from the new value, divide by the old value, and format the result as a percentage.
Copyable Formula
=(B2-A2)/A2Syntax
=(new_value-old_value)/old_valueExcel and Google Sheets
Worked Example
| A | B | C |
|---|---|---|
| Old | New | Change |
| 100 | 125 | 25% |
Result: Returns 25% when the value increases from 100 to 125.
Steps
- Put the old value first and the new value second.
- Subtract old from new.
- Divide by old.
- Format the result as a percentage.
Common Mistakes
- Dividing by the new value instead of the old value.
- Ignoring zero old values that cause #DIV/0!.
- Displaying the result as a decimal when users expect a percentage.
Excel vs Google Sheets Notes
The core idea works in both Excel and Google Sheets, but separators, function availability, and array behavior can vary by account, locale, and version.
Editorial check: This guide was last updated May 13, 2026. Formula behavior can vary by Excel version, Google Sheets rollout, and spreadsheet locale.