The three most used tools
The percentage calculator handles the four questions people ask most: what is X% of Y, what percent is X of Y, the percentage change between two numbers, and increasing or decreasing a value by a percentage. The tip calculator works out a tip and splits the bill between any number of people, with an option to round each share up. The word counter counts words, characters, sentences and paragraphs, and estimates reading and speaking time.
Mental math shortcuts
Ten percent of any number is that number with the decimal point moved one place left. Five percent is half of that, and 15% is the two added together. Percentages are also reversible: 8% of 50 is the same as 50% of 8, which is much easier to do in your head. For tips, doubling the 10% figure gives you 20% instantly.
Where people go wrong
Two mistakes come up again and again. First, a percentage increase and the same percentage decrease do not cancel out: raise 100 by 20% and drop it by 20% and you land on 96. Second, stacked discounts multiply rather than add, so 30% off plus an extra 20% off is 44% off, not 50%. Both pages show the correct method with worked numbers.
For writers and students
The word counter is built for limits: meta descriptions capped at 160 characters, social posts at 280, cover letters around 250 to 400 words, and essays with a set word count. It also lists your most used words, which is a quick way to spot repetition before you submit or publish.
Last reviewed on by the Dailycaltor team.