- How to Calculate a Percentage?
- How Are Percentages Used in Everyday Life?
- How to Calculate a Percentage Increase?
- How to Calculate a Percentage Decrease?
- How to Calculate a Reverse Percentage?
- How to Calculate a Percentage in Excel?
- How to Calculate Body Fat Percentage?
- How to Convert a Percentage to a Grade?
- How to Calculate GST (Goods and Services Tax) in Singapore?
- How to Calculate Win Percentage in Sports?
- How to Calculate Profit Percentage?
- How to Calculate Discount Percentage?
Percentages are everywhere—whether you’re calculating discounts during the Great Singapore Sale, tracking exam scores, or comparing home loan interest rates. Understanding percentages helps with budgeting, investments, health, and even sports statistics.
A percentage expresses a number as a fraction of 100 and is widely used in finance, education, health, and daily life to analyze data and make informed decisions.
How to Calculate a Percentage?
To calculate a percentage, use this simple formula:
Percentage = (Part ÷ Total) × 100
For example
You have 10 pieces of Bengawan Solo kueh, and you eat 4. What percentage have you eaten?
Divide the part (4 pieces) by the total (10 pieces):
4 ÷ 10 = 0.40
Multiply by 100:
0.40 × 100 = 40%
So, you ate 40% of the kueh.
If you need a quick answer, try our online percentage calculator!
How Are Percentages Used in Everyday Life?
Percentages help compare values, track changes, and improve financial decisions. Here are some real-world examples:
Shopping: Discounts & Sales
You’re shopping at TANGS, and a designer bag originally priced at $300 is 30% off.
To calculate the discount:
300 × 0.30 = $90
You save $90, and the final price is:
300 - 90 = $210
Retail stores use percentage discounts to attract customers and boost sales.
Finance: Home Loans & Savings Rates
Percentages are crucial in banking, especially for mortgage rates and savings interest.
If your bank offers 2.5% interest on a $20,000 savings account, your yearly earnings are:
20,000 × 0.025 = $500
So, your savings earn $500 per year. The higher the percentage, the more you earn!
Health & Nutrition: Food Labels
Ever checked a food label and seen “8% sugar” on a packet of Milo? That means in 100mL of the drink, 8mL is sugar.
If the packet contains 500mL, how much sugar does it have?
500 × 0.08 = 40mL of sugar
Understanding percentages in nutrition helps you make healthier choices.
How to Calculate a Percentage Increase?
A percentage increase shows how much something has grown compared to its original value.
Formula:
Percentage Increase = ((New Value − Old Value) ÷ Old Value) × 100
For example
Your electricity bill was $180 last month, but this month it’s $220.
Find the difference:
220 - 180 = 40
Divide by the original value:
40 ÷ 180 = 0.2222
Multiply by 100:
0.2222 × 100 = 22.22%
Your electricity bill increased by 22.22%. Try our percentage increase calculator for quick calculations!
How to Calculate a Percentage Decrease?
A percentage decrease shows how much something has reduced from its original value.
Formula:
Percentage Decrease = ((Old Value − New Value) ÷ Old Value) × 100
For example
A Samsung smartphone originally cost $1,600, but now it’s on sale for $1,350.
Find the difference:
1,600 - 1,350 = 250
Divide by the original price:
250 ÷ 1,600 = 0.1563
Multiply by 100:
0.1563 × 100 = 15.63%
So, the smartphone is now 15.63% cheaper.
How to Calculate a Reverse Percentage?
A reverse percentage helps you find the original price before a discount or increase.
Let's say you bought a laptop for $1,620 after a 10% discount, but you want to know the original price.
Since $1,620 represents 90% of the original price:
1,620 ÷ 0.90 = $1,800
So, the original price was $1,800 before the discount.
How to Calculate a Percentage in Excel?
Microsoft Excel makes percentage calculations easy.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Enter your data in two columns (e.g., "Part" and "Total").
- In the next column, enter this formula: =(A2 ÷ B2) × 100
- Press Enter, and Excel will calculate the percentage.
- Drag the formula down to apply it to multiple rows.
Percentages are useful in everyday life, from budgeting and savings to discounts and sports stats. Whether you’re estimating GST, tracking fitness progress, or finding the best shopping deals, knowing how to calculate percentages helps you make smarter decisions.
For quick calculations, try our online percentage calculator!
How to Calculate Body Fat Percentage?
Body fat percentage is a key metric in fitness and health tracking. It helps measure how much of your body weight is fat compared to lean mass (muscles, bones, and water).
Formula:
There are multiple methods to calculate body fat percentage, but one of the simplest is using the Body Fat Percentage Formula for Men and Women:
For men:
Body Fat % = (1.20 × BMI) + (0.23 × Age) - 16.2
For women:
Body Fat % = (1.20 × BMI) + (0.23 × Age) - 5.4
For example
Adam, a 30-year-old man from Singapore, has a BMI of 24.
Using the formula:
(1.20 × 24) + (0.23 × 30) - 16.2
= 28.8 + 6.9 - 16.2
= 19.5% body fat
So, Adam's body fat percentage is 19.5%, which falls within a healthy range.
If you want an even more precise measurement, you can use body fat calipers, smart scales, or a DEXA scan at local fitness centers in Singapore.
How to Convert a Percentage to a Grade?
Singapore schools and universities use percentage-based grading systems.
SG Grade Conversion Table:
Percentage | Grade |
---|---|
90-100% | A+ (Distinction) |
80-89% | A (Excellent) |
70-79% | B (Good) |
60-69% | C (Satisfactory) |
50-59% | D (Pass) |
Below 50% | F (Fail) |
If you scored 85% in an exam at NUS, your grade is A (Excellent).
How to Calculate GST (Goods and Services Tax) in Singapore?
Singapore has a 9% GST on most goods and services (as of 2024).
To add GST to a price:
Price with GST = Original Price × 1.09
To remove GST from a price:
Original Price = Price with GST ÷ 1.09
For example
A new Sony TV costs $2,180 including GST. To find the pre-GST price:
2,180 ÷ 1.09 = $2,000
So, the TV costs $2,000 before GST.
How to Calculate Win Percentage in Sports?
Win percentage is useful for sports, gaming, and performance tracking.
Formula:
Win Percentage = (Wins ÷ Total Games) × 100
For example
Let’s take the Singapore Premier League as an example:
The Lion City Sailors played 22 matches, winning 16.
(16 ÷ 22) × 100 = 72.73%
So, their win percentage is 72.73%.
How to Calculate Profit Percentage?
Profit percentage helps businesses and investors evaluate profitability.
Formula:
Profit Percentage = (Profit ÷ Cost Price) × 100
Let's say you run a business selling bubble tea. You buy ingredients and materials for $4 per cup and sell each cup for $6.
Your profit per cup is: 6 - 4 = $2
To calculate profit percentage: (2 ÷ 4) × 100 = 50%
So, your profit margin on each bubble tea is 50%.
How to Calculate Discount Percentage?
Discount percentage helps shoppers and retailers understand savings on purchases.
Formula:
Discount Percentage = (Discount Amount ÷ Original Price) × 100
Let's say you find a Nike sports shoe originally priced at $180, now available at a 20% discount.
To find the discount amount: 180 × 0.20 = $36
To find the final price: 180 - 36 = $144
So, you save $36, and the shoe now costs $144.