Percentage Difference Calculator
This calculator helps you find the percentage difference between two values. It's useful when comparing measurements, prices, results, or data points to understand how much they differ in relative terms, regardless of which value is larger.
Calculate the Relative Difference Between Two Values
Percentage Difference Formula
$$\text{Percentage Difference} = \left( \frac{|\text{Value}_1 – \text{Value}_2|}{\left( \frac{\text{Value}_1 + \text{Value}_2}{2} \right)} \right) \times 100\%
$$
Explanation:
Find the absolute difference between the two values, divide it by their average, then multiply by 100. This gives the percentage difference without favoring one value over the other.
Percentage Difference – Calculation Example
- Value 1: 40
- Value 2: 50
- |40 – 50| = 10
- (40 + 50) / 2 = 45
- 10 / 45 = 0.222
- 0.222 × 100 = 22.22%
Result: Percentage difference = 22.22%
Percentage difference is commonly used in science, economics, statistics, and quality control to compare experimental vs. theoretical values, competitors’ prices, or variations in performance. It’s symmetric and objective, making it ideal when there’s no clear “base” value.