How to Calculate Reverse Percentage in Google Sheets

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This tutorial answers how to calculate reverse percentage in Google Sheets.

Below, you’ll find three formulas to calculate the reverse percentage in Google Sheets. Wondering why there are three?

It’s because the formulas vary depending on your requirement, though their purpose is the same: to work backward to find the original number.

Let’s look at an example.

Suppose the price of an item is $100.00. Last month, the vendor was offering a 15% discount on it. Now, instead of a discount, the price has increased by 15%.

So, we have three different prices:

  • 15% of the Price = $15.00 (basic). Here, $15.00 is 15% of the original price.
  • Discounted Price = $100.00 – $15.00 = $85.00 (price decrease). Here, the final price is $85.00 after a 15% discount.
  • Increased Price = $100.00 + $15.00 = $115.00 (price increase). Here, the final price is $115.00 after a 15% hike.

If you have any of these prices — $15.00, $85.00, or $115.00 — you can use a suitable reverse percentage in Google Sheets formula to find the original price.

Here’s a real-life example.

Formulas to Calculate Reverse Percentage in Google Sheets

1. Basic Formula — Inputs are Final Number and Percentage That Made It

Imagine you remember receiving a $195.00 discount when you bought a sofa set for your living room last year, but you forgot the original purchase price.

Since you know the discounted amount (final number) and the percentage it represented of the original price, you can use the following reverse percentage formula in Google Sheets:

Generic Formula:

Final_Number ÷ Percentage = Original Number

In a cell, enter:

=195/15%

You’ll get 1300.00, which is the original price of the sofa set.

Want to use cell references instead? Of course!

A1 = 195
B1 = 15%
C1 = =A1/B1

2. Reverse Percentage When You Have Final Number and Percentage Decrease

Sometimes, we apply a discount to a value and later want to find the original value. In that case, here’s the method you need.

Assume you bought a sofa for $1105.00 after a 15% discount. How do you find the original price?

Generic Formula:

Final_Number ÷ (1 – Percentage) = Original Number

In a cell, enter:

=1105/(1-15%)

The output will be 1300.00, the original price without the discount.

Prefer to use cell references? Here’s how:

=E2/(1-E3)
Example of calculating reverse percentage decrease in Google Sheets

This is a very handy reverse percentage in Google Sheets formula for discount scenarios!

3. Reverse Percentage When You Have Final Number and Percentage Increase

You’ve been dreaming about a car for a long time. Then you read about price hikes coming into effect from the new year — but you didn’t act fast enough!

Now the price has gone up by 3%, and the current price of the model you were eyeing is $29,315.00.

How do you find the car’s price before the hike?

Here’s the reverse percentage in Google Sheets formula you need:

Generic Formula:

Final_Number ÷ (1 + Percentage) = Original Number

In a cell, enter:

=29315/(1+3%)

Using cell references:

=E2/(1+E3)
Example of calculating reverse percentage increase in Google Sheets

This formula helps you quickly reverse a percentage increase and find the original price.

That’s all. Thanks for staying till the end. Enjoy calculating!

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Prashanth KV
Prashanth KV
Your Trusted Google Sheets and Excel Guide Prashanth KV brings a wealth of experience in Google Sheets and Excel, cultivated through years of work with multinational corporations in Mumbai and Dubai. As a recognized Google Product Expert in Docs Editors, Prashanth shares his expertise through insightful blogging since 2012. Explore his blog for practical tips and guidance on maximizing your spreadsheet skills.

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