Percentage glossary.

The official share of daily calories recommended for each macronutrient: 45–65% carbohydrate, 10–35% protein, and 20–35% fat. Learn more →

The stated yearly interest rate before compounding. Typically quoted on loans because it is the smaller-looking number. Learn more →

The effective yearly return after compounding is included. Always at least as high as APR, and used to advertise savings accounts. Learn more →

The standard calories-per-gram values used to turn food into calories: 4 kcal/g for carbohydrate and protein, and 9 kcal/g for fat. Learn more →

One hundredth of a percentage point (0.01%). 100 basis points equal 1%. Common in finance for quoting interest-rate moves. Learn more →

A property’s net operating income divided by its current market value, as a percentage. The standard yardstick for comparing real-estate investments. Learn more →

A cumulative grade average on a points scale. Under India’s CBSE system, percentage = CGPA × 9.5. Learn more →

Interest charged on the principal plus previously earned interest, using A = P(1 + r/n)^nt. It grows faster than simple interest. Learn more →

A percentage reduction from a price. To get the reduced price, multiply by (1 − rate) — e.g. 20% off means × 0.80. Learn more →

A numeric summary of grades, usually on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) or higher for honors/AP classes (weighted). Exact cutoffs vary by school. Learn more →

Gross profit as a percentage of revenue: (Revenue − COGS) ÷ Revenue × 100. Learn more →

A value-added tax used in India and other countries. For intra-state sales in India it splits equally into CGST (central) and SGST (state). Learn more →

Tax-exclusive prices are quoted before tax and you add it; tax-inclusive prices already contain the tax, so you divide by (1 + rate) to find the base. Learn more →

A retail convention of doubling the cost — a 100% markup — which is exactly a 50% margin. Learn more →

Profit as a percentage of the selling price: (Sell − Cost) ÷ Sell × 100. Always lower than markup for the same item. Learn more →

Profit as a percentage of cost: (Sell − Cost) ÷ Cost × 100. A 50% markup equals a 33.3% margin. Learn more →

A property’s revenue minus operating expenses, excluding financing and income tax. It is the numerator of the cap rate. Learn more →

A number expressed as a fraction of 100. The percent symbol (%) denotes the value 0.01, so 15% = 0.15.

The relative change from an old value to a new one: (New − Old) ÷ Old × 100. Directional — positive for increases, negative for decreases. Learn more →

The gap between two values relative to their average: |A − B| ÷ ((A + B) ÷ 2) × 100. Symmetric and always positive. Learn more →

The absolute arithmetic difference between two percentages. A move from 40% to 44% is 4 percentage points — but a 10% relative increase. Learn more →

How far a measurement is from an accepted value: |Measured − Accepted| ÷ Accepted × 100. Learn more →

In chemistry, the actual yield divided by the theoretical yield × 100. It cannot exceed 100%. Learn more →

A comparison of quantities, such as 3:2. To convert to percentages, divide each part by the total of the parts (3:2 → 60% and 40%). Learn more →

Annual rent as a percentage of a property’s price. Gross yield ignores costs; net yield subtracts expenses, vacancy, and management. Learn more →

A tax added to the pre-tax price at purchase, common in the US. Rates vary by state and locality and are applied at checkout. Learn more →

Interest charged only on the original principal: I = P × r × t. It does not compound. Learn more →

Sequential discounts multiply rather than add. 20% off then 10% off is 28% off (0.80 × 0.90 = 0.72), not 30%. Learn more →

A consumption tax included in the shelf price across the UK and EU. The UK standard rate is 20%. To strip it out, divide the total by (1 + rate). Learn more →

An average where each value is multiplied by its weight, and the total is divided by the sum of the weights. Learn more →