How to calculate a percentage increase

The formula

To increase a value by a given percentage, apply: base value multiplied by (1 + rate / 100). This multiplier gives you the final result in a single step, without needing to calculate the increase amount separately.

Worked example

An item costs 250 EUR and receives à 15% markup. The calculation is: 250 x (1 + 15 / 100) = 250 x 1.15 = 287.50 EUR. The increase amount is 37.50 EUR. Verification: 250 + 37.50 = 287.50.

Common uses

This calculation appears in many everyday situations. Retailers use it to apply a markup to a wholesale price. Employees encounter it during annual salary reviews. Landlords rely on it when adjusting rent according to an index. It also forms the basis of compound interest when applied repeatedly over multiple periods.