Percent Error Calculator
Percent error between measured and true values, as used in science labs.
What is a percent error calculator?
A percent error calculator compares a measured value with the true value and shows how far off the measurement is as a percentage. It is used in science labs and experiments.
How to use the percent error calculator
Enter the measured value from your experiment and the true value, then click Calculate. The calculator shows the percent error with the steps.
Percent error formula
Percent error = |Measured − True| ÷ |True| × 100. The absolute value means the result is always positive.
Example
If you measure 98 and the true value is 100: |98 − 100| ÷ 100 × 100 = 2%. Your measurement is 2% off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the percent error if I measured 98 and the true value is 100?
The percent error is 2%. Try it on the calculator above.
What does a low percent error mean?
A low percent error means your measurement is close to the true value, so your experiment was accurate.
Can percent error be negative?
No. Percent error uses the absolute value of the difference, so it is always positive.
Browse more calculators: Math Calculators · All Tools