# How to add a percentage to a number in Excel

Multiply by 1 plus the percentage: =B2*(1+$E$1). To increase by 8%, multiply by 1.08.

**Excel:** `=B2*(1+$F$1)` (Every current version)

**Google Sheets:** the same formula works.

## Example

Sample data (row 1 is the header):

| A | B | C | D | E | F |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Item | Price | With increase |  | Increase | 0.08 |
| Lamp | 39.99 |  |  |  |  |
| Chair | 249 |  |  |  |  |
| Desk | 449 |  |  |  |  |
| Monitor | 189.5 |  |  |  |  |

Formula in C2, filled to C5: `=B2*(1+$F$1)`

Result: $43.19; $268.92; $484.92; $204.66

## 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.

## Other ways

- `=B2+B2*$F$1`: Spells out "price plus 8% of price"; same result.

## Common mistakes

- `=B2+$F$1` adds 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.

## 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)`.

Every formula and result on this page was checked by running it in the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine on 2026-10-29.

Source: https://spreadsheetpractice.com/formulas/add-a-percentage-to-a-number