How to add a percentage to a number in Excel
Formula (Excel and Google Sheets)
=B2*(1+$F$1)Multiply by 1 plus the percentage: =B2*(1+$E$1). To increase by 8%, multiply by 1.08.
- Result on the example
- one result per row in
C2, filled down toC5 - Works in
- Every current version
- Google Sheets
- Same formula
See it work
The formula is already in C2, filled down to C5. Change any input and the result updates, or edit the formula to experiment.
How it works
The new price is the old price plus 8% of it, which is the same as 108% of it: B2*(1+$F$1). The rate is locked with $ so every row uses the same cell.
=B2*(1+$F$1)Result43.1892
B2$39.99The value in B2.
$F$18%The value in F1.
1+$F$11.08The + operator adds.
B2*(1+$F$143.1892The * operator multiplies.
In Google Sheets
The same formula works in Google Sheets: =B2*(1+$F$1). We ran it in Google Sheets mode on the same data and it returns the same results.
Other ways to do it
Each one was run on the same example sheet.
| Formula | Result | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| =B2+B2*$F$1 | $43.19, $268.92, $484.92… | Spells out "price plus 8% of price"; same result. |
Common mistakes
=B2+$F$1adds 0.08 (eight cents), not 8%.- Adding 10% and then removing 10% doesn't get you back: 100 → 110 → 99. To undo an increase, divide by 1.1.
Try it yourself
Same data, empty answer cell. Your formula is graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data, so a typed-in number won't pass.
Add a percentage to a number
C2, increase the price by the percentage in F1, then fill down to C5.Questions
How do I add VAT or sales tax to a price?
Use the tax rate as the percentage: =B2*(1+tax_rate).
How do I find the original price before an increase?
Divide: =C2/(1+$F$1).
Checked by running on 2026-10-29: every formula and result on this page was calculated by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine, in both Excel and Google Sheets modes.