Growth rate calculator
Enter the starting and ending values and the number of periods between them, such as 12 months, to get total growth and the equivalent rate per period.
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How to use it
- Enter starting value, ending value and number of periods between them.
- The result appears straight away and updates as you edit.
- Copy the result, or copy a link that keeps the same values to share it.
How it is calculated
Total growth = (end − start) ÷ start × 100. Average growth per period = ((end ÷ start)^(1 ÷ periods) − 1) × 100.
Example
Inputs: Starting value = 1,000, Ending value = 1,210, Number of periods between them = 2. Result: Total growth: 21%; Average compound growth per period: 10%; Absolute change: 210.
Limits and caveats
- The compound average hides swings between periods; real growth may vary a lot from one period to the next.
- Periods must be equal in length for the average to mean anything.
Questions about this tool
What is the difference between total growth and growth per period?
Total growth compares end with start directly. The compound average is the steady rate that, repeated each period, takes you from start to end.
Why not divide total growth by the number of periods?
Growth compounds: 10% then 10% makes 21%, not 20%. Simple division gives a rate higher than the true average.
Does it work for followers and sales?
Yes, for any positive number such as followers, visits, revenue or customer count, as long as the periods are equal.