Convert Percents to Decimals

Move the decimal point 2 places left and remove the "%" sign

Converting From Percent to Decimal

10 by 10 grid with 50 shaded squares out of 100

Percent means "per 100", so 50% means 50 per 100, or simply 50100

When we divide 50 by 100 we get 0.5 (a decimal number).

So, to convert from percent to decimal: divide by 100, and remove the "%" sign.

Sale tag showing 50% off

Example: A 50% discount:

A store offers a 50% discount on an $80 item.

To calculate the discount in dollars, convert 50% to a decimal by dividing 50 by 100, which equals 0.5

Then 0.5 × $80 = $40

The Easy Way

The easy way to divide by 100 is to move the decimal point 2 places left, so:

From Percent   To Decimal
75% with two arrows shifting the decimal point left to make 0.75
move the decimal point 2 places left,
and remove the "%" sign

This works because moving the decimal two places left is the same as dividing by 100.

Watch out for single digits: 5% is 0.05 (not 0.5, which is 50%).

Example: Convert 8.5% to decimal

Move the decimal point two places left: 8.5 → 0.85 → 0.085

(Note how we inserted an extra "0" as needed)

Answer 8.5% = 0.085

Example: Convert 250% to decimal

Move the decimal point two places left: 250. → 25. → 2.5

Answer 250% = 2.5

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