Percentage Difference Calculator

    Compare two peer values with symmetric percentage difference, absolute difference, average baseline, and larger-to-smaller ratio.

    The order does not matter: the result is symmetric. Use this calculator when two values are peers, not when one value is the starting point and the other is the ending point.

    What percentage difference means

    Percentage difference compares two peer values without assuming that either value is the starting point. The result is symmetric, so swapping the values does not change the answer.

    P_diff is the percentage difference, A and B are peer values, and x_bar is the average baseline.

    Percent difference vs percent change

    MetricUse when
    Percentage differenceTwo values are peers and order does not matter
    Percentage changeThere is an old value and a new value
    Percent errorOne value is measured and the other is accepted or expected
    Many searches use these terms loosely. This page uses the symmetric average-baseline definition of percentage difference.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Sources and References

    Calculations are based on the listed reference sources. Links open in a new tab.

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