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Percentage Decrease in Excel and Google Sheets

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Direct answer

With the original value in A2 and new value in B2, use =(A2-B2)/A2 and format the result cell as a percentage.

Formula and method

=(A2-B2)/A2

This page must show the formula exactly as the calculator or worked method uses it. Inputs remain unrounded during the calculation; rounding applies only to the displayed answer unless a domain-specific rule requires otherwise.

Step-by-step calculation

  1. Put the original value in A2 and the new value in B2.
  2. Enter =(A2-B2)/A2 in C2.
  3. Apply percentage formatting; do not multiply by 100 as well.
  4. Use =IF(A2=0,NA(),(A2-B2)/A2) to expose an undefined baseline.

Worked examples

Decrease result

A2=250 and B2=200 returns 0.20, displayed as 20%.

New amount after rate

If A2 is the original and B2 contains 15%, use =A2*(1-B2).

Reverse

If A2 is the final and B2 is 15%, use =A2/(1-B2).

Interpretation and edge cases

  • Percentage formatting already scales 0.20 to 20%; multiplying by 100 can create 2,000%.
  • Avoid IFERROR that hides a zero-baseline issue without explanation.
  • Store unrounded values and format the display separately.

Frequently asked questions

Should I multiply by 100 in Excel?

Not if the cell is formatted as Percentage.

How do I prevent DIV/0?

Test the original value explicitly and return NA or a labeled message.

Does the same formula work in Google Sheets?

Yes.

Sources and transparency

The formulas and examples were evidence-checked on 2026-09-10. This is educational mathematical content. It does not replace a field-specific standard, accounting policy, laboratory method, contractual definition or professional judgment. CalculatorGeek should display a named human reviewer only after a real reviewer has completed and documented that review.

Use this resource

1 available tool
Open the Percentage Decrease CalculatorRun the calculation with your own inputs, then return here to interpret it.

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