Percentage Point Calculator
See the difference between two percentages in percentage points and in percent — or add points or a percent to a rate.
About this tool
A rate going from 4% to 5% has risen by 1 percentage point, but by 25 percent. Both are correct, and mixing them up is one of the most common mistakes in news about interest rates, polls and unemployment. Enter two percentages to get the change in percentage points, basis points and percent, or start from one rate and add percentage points or a relative change to see the new rate.
Frequently asked questions
A percentage point is the plain difference between two percentages. If a rate goes from 4% to 5%, it has risen by 1 percentage point. Measured against the starting value it has risen by 25%, because 1 ÷ 4 × 100 = 25.
Use percentage points for the gap between two percentages, and percent for a relative change. A party going from 50% to 55% support has gained 5 percentage points, which is a 10% increase in its support.
A basis point is one hundredth of a percentage point, so 100 basis points = 1 percentage point. Central banks and lenders often talk in basis points: a cut from 4.50% to 4.25% is 0.25 percentage points, or 25 basis points.
Strictly, a relative rise: a 5% interest rate that rises by 10% becomes 5.5%. A rise of 10 percentage points would take it to 15%. If a headline is unclear, check which one is meant — the difference is large.
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