What is a Percentage Calculator and How Does It Work?
A percentage calculator is an essential tool for everyday math calculations. Our percentage calculator 2026 answers "how to work out a percentage?" with 6 different calculation modes. The how to calculate percentage tool handles basic percentage, percentage change, weight loss percentage, food cost percentage, gross profit percentage, and Navy body fat percentage. Whether you're a student, business owner, fitness enthusiast, or restaurant manager, this cost percentage calculator provides instant answers.
How does the how to work out a percentage tool work? Select your calculation type, enter values, and click calculate. The percentage estimate tool shows your result, formula, and recommendations. The work out percentage calculator handles X% of Y, X is what % of Y, percentage change, weight loss %, food cost %, gross profit %, and Navy body fat %.
Basic Percentage Formulas
X% of Y: (X ÷ 100) × Y. Example: 20% of 80 = 16.
X is what % of Y: (X ÷ Y) × 100. Example: 25 is 12.5% of 200.
Percentage Change: (New - Old) ÷ Old × 100. Example: 50 to 75 = 50% increase.
Weight Loss %: (Weight Lost ÷ Starting Weight) × 100. Example: 200 to 180 = 10%.
Food Cost %: (Cost of Ingredients ÷ Menu Price) × 100. Example: $4.50 ÷ $15 = 30%.
Gross Profit %: (Revenue - COGS) ÷ Revenue × 100. Example: $100k - $60k = 40%.
How to Work Out a Percentage on a Calculator
Physical calculator: 20% of 80 → 80 × 20 ÷ 100 = 16. Percentage increase: 50 to 75 → (75 - 50) ÷ 50 × 100 = 50%. Tip: $50 bill with 15% tip → 50 × 15 ÷ 100 = $7.50. Discount: $80 item 25% off → 80 - (80 × 25 ÷ 100) = $60.
Weight Loss Percentage
Weight loss percentage is more meaningful than pounds lost. 200 lb person losing 20 lbs = 10%. 150 lb person losing 20 lbs = 13.3%. Losing 5-10% of body weight significantly improves health markers. Our weight loss percentage calculator shows both percentage lost and progress toward goal.
Food Cost Percentage
Food cost percentage is critical for restaurants. Fast food: 25-30%, Casual dining: 28-35%, Fine dining: 30-40%. Formula: (Cost ÷ Price) × 100. Our food cost percentage calculator also shows suggested price for target food cost (typically 30%).
Gross Profit Percentage
Gross profit percentage (gross margin) shows business efficiency. Formula: (Revenue - COGS) ÷ Revenue × 100. Industry benchmarks: Retail 25-50%, Manufacturing 20-40%, Services 50-80%, Software 80-90%.
Navy Body Fat Percentage
US Navy method uses circumference measurements. Men: %BF = 86.010 × log10(abdomen - neck) - 70.041 × log10(height) + 36.76. Women: %BF = 163.205 × log10(abdomen + hip - neck) - 97.684 × log10(height) - 78.387. Navy standards: Men under 60: 23% max, Women under 60: 34% max.