Percentage Calculator: 3 Ways to Calculate Percentages
Calculate percentages three ways: what is X% of Y, X is what % of Y, and percentage change. Includes VAT calculator for South Africa and discount calculator.
Percentage Calculator: 3 Ways to Calculate Percentages
Percentages come up in shopping discounts, tax calculations, exam scores, salary increases and investment returns. Our calculator handles all three types of percentage problem instantly.
The three percentage calculations
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What is X% of Y? Formula: Answer = (X / 100) x Y Example: What is 15% of R850? = (15 / 100) x 850 = R127.50
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X is what percentage of Y? Formula: Percentage = (X / Y) x 100 Example: You scored 73 out of 90: (73 / 90) x 100 = 81.1%
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Percentage change Formula: Change% = ((New minus Old) / Old) x 100 Example: Salary from R28,000 to R31,500 = 12.5% increase
South African VAT calculator
South Africa's standard VAT rate is 15%.
Adding VAT (excl to incl): Multiply by 1.15 R1,000 excl VAT = R1,000 x 1.15 = R1,150 incl VAT
Removing VAT (incl to excl): Divide by 1.15 R1,150 incl VAT = R1,150 / 1.15 = R1,000 excl VAT
Discount calculator examples
- R500 at 10% off: sale price R450, you save R50
- R1,800 at 25% off: sale price R1,350, you save R450
- R3,200 at 40% off: sale price R1,920, you save R1,280
Common percentage mistakes
Percentage increase then decrease is not zero. R1,000 up 50% = R1,500. R1,500 down 50% = R750, not R1,000.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate 20% in my head? Find 10% (divide by 10) then double it. 10% of R450 = R45. 20% = R90.
How do I calculate a salary increase percentage? Multiply current salary by (1 + percentage/100). For 12% increase on R35,000: R35,000 x 1.12 = R39,200.
What is 15% VAT in South Africa? South Africa's VAT is 15%. To add VAT multiply by 1.15.
What is 1% of 1 million? 1% of 1,000,000 = 10,000.