How to convert decimals to percentages

• Calculations often give a decimal answer.
• It can be useful to convert a decimal to a percentage as a percentage is often easier to understand.
• To do these conversions, you need to be able to multiply by 100

1. Multiply the decimal by 100 to get the percentage value.
2. Write the percentage value and add the percentage symbol %

When the decimal has a value greater than one whole, the percentage will be greater than 100%. Eg the decimal 1∙2 converts to 120%

Try this quiz to practise converting decimals to percentages.

Converting decimals to percentages can be a valuable skill for anyone who publishes or presents data. This could include scientists, journalists, retailers and engineers.

A journalist may investigate employment statistics and find that a company has given a pay rise to 0∙8 of its staff. The figure is expressed as a decimal (0∙8) and so the journalist needs to converts this to a percentage (80%) to make the information easier for their readers to understand. The published article states that: “80% of staff received a pay rise.”