How to Convert Percent to Decimal

There will be a time when the need to know how to convert a percent to a decimal will arise. Maybe it will be when trying to calculate a percentage discount on an item to be purchased. The item is 30% off, but what does that mean? How do you calculate the discount if the original price is $92? Learn how to easily convert percent to decimal by following these easy instructions.

Instructions

1. Percentage means "per 100." In other words, 50% means 50 per 100.

   There are two simple ways to make this conversion.

2. The easiest way to convert percentage to decimal is to divide the percentage by 100 and drop the percent sign (%). So, 50% divided by 100 is .50

   Example: 50%/100 = .50

3. 

   The second way to convert percentages to decimals is to simply move the decimal point to the left two places and drop the percent sign (%). It is important to realize that 50% is actually 50.0000000000000000%, but the decimal point is not actually used. It is just understood that the decimal point follows the number and is just before the %. So, to convert a percentage to a decimal by moving the decimal two places to the left, you would have this.

   Example: 48%-->48.0%-->.48
   (2 places)

Resources

• Convert Decimal to Percent