To convert a percentage to a decimal, divide the percentage number by 100 and remove the percentage symbol. For example, 37.5% divided by 100 equals 0.375. Moving the decimal point two places to the left produces the same result.
Use the Percentage Calculator on the homepage to check how a percentage relates to its decimal value and one complete whole.
Moving the decimal point two places to the left converts 37.5% into the decimal 0.375.
What Percentage-to-Decimal Conversion Means
A percentage expresses an amount out of 100, while a decimal expresses that amount relative to one whole.
Converting a percentage to a decimal does not change the value. It changes only the numerical format.
Decimal form is especially useful when multiplying a number by a percentage, calculating discounts, adding tax, applying growth rates, or using formulas.
Percentage-to-Decimal Formula
Remove the percentage symbol and divide the percentage number by 100.
Dividing by 100 moves the decimal point two places to the left.
Add a leading zero when the result is smaller than one so that the decimal is easy to read.
Worked Example: Convert 37.5% to a Decimal
Begin with the percentage 37.5%.
Remove the percentage symbol and divide 37.5 by 100.
The result is 0.375.
Moving the Decimal Point
Dividing by 100 moves the decimal point two places to the left.
A whole percentage such as 25% can be written as 25.0%. Moving the point two places gives 0.25.
For 7%, add a leading zero and move the point to obtain 0.07.
Convert 50% to a Decimal
Divide 50 by 100.
The result is 0.5.
Therefore, 50% is equal to the decimal 0.5.
Convert 25% to a Decimal
Divide 25 by 100.
The result is 0.25.
Twenty-five percent is equal to one quarter, or 0.25.
Convert 8% to a Decimal
Divide 8 by 100 to get 0.08.
Do not write 0.8, because 0.8 is equal to 80%.
The leading zero helps make the position of the decimal point clear.
Convert 0.7% to a Decimal
Divide 0.7 by 100.
The decimal result is 0.007.
A percentage below 1% converts to a decimal below 0.01.
Convert 125% to a Decimal
Divide 125 by 100 to get 1.25.
A percentage above 100% produces a decimal greater than one.
The decimal 1.25 represents one complete whole plus another quarter.
Convert a Negative Percentage
Use the same division when the percentage is negative.
For example, −15% divided by 100 equals −0.15.
The negative sign remains because it describes the direction or sign of the value.
How to Convert a Percentage on a Calculator
Enter the percentage number and divide it by 100.
For 62.4%, calculate 62.4 ÷ 100. The decimal is 0.624.
Use the Percentage Calculator to verify the relationship between the percentage and one whole.
Using Decimal Form to Find a Percentage of a Number
Decimal form is commonly used to calculate a percentage amount.
To find 15% of 240, convert 15% to 0.15 and multiply by 240.
The result is 36.
Using Decimal Form for Discounts
To find a 20% discount on a $75 item, convert 20% to 0.20.
Multiply $75 by 0.20 to find a discount amount of $15.
Subtract the discount from the original price to get a sale price of $60.
Using Decimal Multipliers
A percentage increase or decrease can be represented by a decimal multiplier.
After a 20% increase, the new value is 120% of the original, so the multiplier is 1.20.
After a 20% decrease, 80% remains, so the multiplier is 0.80.
Percentage, Decimal, and Fraction Equivalents
Fifty percent equals the decimal 0.5 and the fraction 1/2.
Twenty-five percent equals 0.25 and 1/4, while 75% equals 0.75 and 3/4.
These equivalent forms are interchangeable when the correct conversion is applied.
Why Dividing by 100 Works
The percentage symbol means per hundred.
Dividing by 100 converts an amount expressed out of 100 into an amount expressed relative to one whole.
For example, 37.5 per hundred is the same proportion as 0.375 per one.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving the decimal point only one place to the left.
Another is leaving the percentage symbol attached after converting to decimal form.
Confusing 8% with 0.8 is also common. Eight percent is 0.08, while 0.8 equals 80%.
Conclusion
To convert a percentage to a decimal, divide by 100 and remove the percentage symbol.
Move the decimal point two places to the left and include leading zeros when needed.
Use the Percentage Calculator to check percentage and decimal relationships.
Related percentage guides
FAQs
How do I convert a percentage to a decimal?
Divide the percentage number by 100 and remove the percentage symbol.
What is 37.5% as a decimal?
Divide 37.5 by 100. The result is 0.375.
What is 8% as a decimal?
Eight percent is equal to 0.08.
What is 125% as a decimal?
One hundred and twenty-five percent is equal to 1.25.
Why do I move the decimal point two places left?
Moving it two places left is equivalent to dividing the percentage by 100.