How to find the percentage of two numbers
To find what percent one number is of another, divide the part by the whole and multiply by 100. 18 out of 24 is 18 ÷ 24 = 0.75, which is 75%. This page shows the method, the shortcut when the whole is 10, 20, 25 or 50, a calculator that shows its working, and how to tell the part from the whole in word problems.
How to find the percentage, step by step
- Find the part and the whole. The whole is what the part is out of.
- Divide: part ÷ whole. 18 ÷ 24 = 0.75.
- Multiply by 100: 0.75 × 100 = 75%.
Shortcut: make the whole 100
Percent means out of 100, so if you can turn the whole into 100, the top number is the percent. 17 out of 20: × 5 gives 85/100 = 85%. 12 out of 25: × 4 gives 48/100 = 48%. 7 out of 10 = 70%.
What percent is it?
Type the part and the whole.
Which number is the whole?
Look for “of” or “out of”: the whole comes after it. “What percent of the 30 students walk to school, if 12 walk?” The whole is 30, the part is 12: 12 ÷ 30 = 40%.
Common mistakes
How to teach it at home
Test scores
Turn 23 out of 25 into a percent (92%).
Sports stats
Free throws: 9 made out of 12 is 75%.
Survey the family
What percent of the family likes pizza best?
By grade
- Grade 6 (6.RP.A.3c): percent as a rate per 100; finding what percent one number is of another.
- Next: percent change. Related: percent of a number.
Worksheets and practice
Finding the percent worksheet: printable PDF with an answer key. · Make a fresh test
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Questions parents ask
How do you find the percentage of two numbers?
Divide the part by the whole and multiply by 100. 18 out of 24: 18 ÷ 24 × 100 = 75%.
What is 17 out of 20 as a percent?
85%. Multiply both by 5 to make it out of 100: 85/100.
How do I know which number is the whole?
It is the number that comes after “of” or “out of”.
Can a percentage be more than 100%?
Yes, when the part is bigger than the whole: 30 is 150% of 20.
What grade learns this?
Grade 6 (6.RP.A.3c).