Percentage Decrease Calculator
Calculate the percentage decrease between two values with step-by-step solutions
Calculate Percentage Decrease
The original value before the decrease
The new value after the decrease
Calculation Results
Example Calculation
Store Sale Example
Scenario: A store had 750 customers last month and 590 customers this month.
Initial value: 750 customers
Final value: 590 customers
Question: What is the percentage decrease in customers?
Solution
1. Calculate difference: 750 - 590 = 160
2. Divide by original: 160 ÷ 750 = 0.2133
3. Convert to percentage: 0.2133 × 100 = 21.33%
Answer: The store experienced a 21.33% decrease in customers.
Real-world Context
This percentage decrease is more informative than saying "160 fewer customers" because it shows the relative impact on the business scale.
Percentage Decrease Formula
% decrease = 100 × (initial - final) / |initial|
Where:
- • initial = original value
- • final = new value
- • |initial| = absolute value of initial
Note: For percentage decrease, the final value must be less than the initial value.
Quick Examples
Calculator Tips
Final value must be less than initial for decrease
Use positive numbers for best results
Result shows relative change, not absolute
100% decrease means final value is zero
Understanding Percentage Decrease
What is Percentage Decrease?
Percentage decrease is a measure of how much a value has reduced relative to its original amount. It's expressed as a percentage and provides a standardized way to compare reductions across different scales.
Why Use Percentage Decrease?
- •Compare changes across different scales and contexts
- •Understand relative impact rather than absolute numbers
- •Analyze trends and patterns in business and science
- •Make informed decisions based on proportional changes
Common Applications
Business & Finance
Sales reduction, profit decline, cost savings, price drops
Demographics
Population decline, unemployment reduction, enrollment drops
Science & Medicine
Error reduction, symptom improvement, efficiency gains
Technology
Performance optimization, size reduction, power savings
Key Concepts
Relative vs Absolute
A $1000 decrease from $10,000 (10%) is different from a $1000 decrease from $2,000 (50%) in relative terms.
Direction Matters
Percentage decrease only applies when the final value is less than the initial value.
Context is Key
The same percentage decrease can have different implications depending on the context and baseline.