Percent Error Calculator

A percent error calculator helps you find the difference between an experimental value and an accepted value. It shows the error as a percentage, which makes results easy to compare.

We developed this calculator so users can easily calculate percent error without doing the formula by hand. It can help students, teachers, researchers, and anyone checking measured results.

The calculator uses the experimental or measured value and the accepted or true value. It first finds the error, then converts it into a percentage.

What Is Percent Error?

Percent error shows how far an experimental value is from an accepted value. A smaller percent error means the measured result is closer to the accepted value.

In physics and other science subjects, percent error is often used to check the accuracy of an experiment or measurement.

Percent Error Formula

The core percent error formula used by this calculator is:

Percent Error = |Experimental Value − Accepted Value| ÷ |Accepted Value| × 100%

The absolute value makes the error non-negative.

First, calculate the difference:

Difference = Experimental Value − Accepted Value

Then calculate the absolute error:

Absolute Error = |Experimental Value − Accepted Value|

Next, calculate relative error:

Relative Error = Absolute Error ÷ |Accepted Value|

Finally:

Percent Error = Relative Error × 100%

The accepted value cannot be zero because division by zero is undefined.

How to Use Online Percent Error Calculator

You can calculate percentage error online in a few simple steps.

1. Enter the Experimental Value

Enter your measured or experimental result into the calculator.

2. Enter the Accepted Value

Enter the known, true, theoretical, or reference value.

3. Check the Values

Make sure both values are numeric. The accepted value must not be zero.

4. Calculate Percent Error

Click the calculate button. The calculator finds the difference, absolute error, relative error, and percent error.

5. Read the Result

The final result is displayed as a percentage. You can use it to compare your measured value with the accepted value.

Example Percent Error Calculation

Suppose an experiment gives an experimental value of 9.80, while the accepted value is 9.81.

First, find the difference:

Difference = 9.80 − 9.81 = −0.01

Now find the absolute error:

Absolute Error = |−0.01| = 0.01

Next, calculate the relative error:

Relative Error = 0.01 ÷ 9.81 = 0.00101937

Now convert it to a percentage:

Percent Error = 0.00101937 × 100%

Percent Error = 0.1019%

Therefore, the percent error is approximately 0.1019%.

Final Verdict

A percent error calculator makes it quick and simple to calculate the difference between a measured value and an accepted value. The key formula is the absolute difference divided by the absolute accepted value, multiplied by 100. This method is useful for physics experiments, laboratory measurements, science calculations, and accuracy checks.

FAQs

How do we calculate the percent error?

Calculate the absolute difference between the experimental and accepted values. Divide it by the absolute accepted value and multiply by 100.

Percent Error = |Experimental − Accepted| ÷ |Accepted| × 100%

How to calculate percentage error in physics?

Use the same percent error formula. Compare the measured experimental result with the accepted or theoretical value, then express the difference as a percentage.

Can the accepted value be zero?

No. This calculator does not allow an accepted value of zero because the formula requires division by the accepted value.

Is percent error always positive?

This calculator reports percent error as a non-negative value because it uses the absolute difference between the experimental and accepted values.