Percent to Decimal 

This lesson will show you how to convert percent to decimal. Converting percent to decimal should not be hard if you carefully study this lesson. First, start with this interactive lesson immediately below.

Interactive Lesson Showing how to Convert Percent to Decimal

Moving the Decimal Point

To convert a percentage to a decimal, remove the % symbol and move the decimal point two places to the left!

75%
Step 1: Remove the % symbol
Step 2: Place decimal point at the end
Step 3: Move decimal point two places left
Step 4:

Key Concepts

What is a Percent?

Definition: The term "percent" means "per hundred." It represents a fraction of 100.

Example:

  • 25% means 25 per 100.
  • 75% means 75 per 100.

What is a Decimal?

Definition: A decimal is a way of expressing numbers that are not whole, using a decimal point to separate the whole number from the fractional part.

Example:

2.05 has a decimal point between the 2 and the 0.

36 can be written as 36.0 or 36.000, where the decimal point is followed by zeros, indicating no fractional part.

Steps to Convert a Percent to a Decimal

Converting a percentage to a decimal involves a simple two-step process:

  1. Remove the Percentage Symbol (%):
    Simply eliminate the "%" sign from the number.

  2. Move the Decimal Point Two Places to the Left:
    Shift the decimal point two places left to convert the percentage into a decimal. If the number doesn't have a decimal point, assume it to be at the end of the number (e.g., 36% becomes 36.0).

Visual Representation: Converting Percents to Decimals

Percentage (%) Step 1: Remove % Step 2: Move Decimal Point Two Places Left Decimal
25% 25 0.25 0.25
75% 75 0.75 0.75
8% 8 0.08 0.08
4.6% 4.6 0.046 0.046

Detailed Examples

Example 1: Converting 13% to a Decimal

  1. Remove the % symbol:
    13% becomes 13.

  2. Move the decimal point two places to the left:
    Since 13 is a whole number, the decimal point is assumed to be at the end: 13.0.
    Move the decimal two places left: 0.13.

  3. Final answer:
    13% = 0.13

Note: The zero after the decimal point is essential for maintaining the decimal's place value but can be omitted for simplicity if preferred (e.g., 0.13).

Example 2: Converting 68% to a Decimal

  1. Remove the % symbol:
    68% becomes 68.

  2. Move the decimal point two places to the left:
    Since 68 is a whole number, the decimal point is assumed to be at the end: 68.0.
    Move the decimal two places left: 0.68.

  3. Final answer:
    68% = 0.68

Example 3: Converting 8% to a Decimal

  1. Remove the % symbol:
     8% becomes 8.

  2. Adjust the number for decimal movement:
    To move the decimal two places left, add two zeros before the 8: 008.
    This ensures clarity in decimal placement.

  3. Move the decimal point two places to the left:
    8% = 0.08

  4. Final answer
    8% = 0.08

Note: Adding a zero before the number does not change its value but helps in correctly placing the decimal point.

Example 4: Converting 4.6% to a Decimal

  1. Remove the % symbol:
     4.6% becomes 4.6.

  2. Adjust the number for decimal movement:
    To move the decimal two places left, add two zeros before the 4.6: 004.6
    This ensures clarity in decimal placement.

  3. Move the decimal point two places to the left:
    4.6% = 0.046

  4. Final answer
    4.6% = 0.046

Decimal to percent