How to Change a Decimal to a Percent, or a Percent to a Decimal

How to Change a Decimal to a Percent, or a Percent to a Decimal
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Changing a Decimal to a Percent

To convert a decimal to a percent, just move the decimal point two places to the right and put a percent sign afterwards. For example, to convert .02 to a percent, you would move the decimal point over two spaces to get 2%.

Note: If there are not enough digits to move the decimal two spaces, just add a 0 at the end and move the decimal past it. For example, to convert .3 to a percent, move the decimal two spaces over and add a 0 as a placeholder, which will leave you with 30%.

Also remember that every whole number has a “hidden” decimal at the end. For example, to convert 3 to a percent, you would move the “hidden” decimal to the left of the 3 two spaces to the right, which would leave you with 300%.

Converting a Percent to a Decimal

To convert a percent to a decimal, just do the opposite. Move the decimal point two places to the left and remove the percent sign. For example, to convert 31.2% to a decimal, you would move the decimal point two spaces to the left and remove the percent, which leaves you with .312.

Note: As before, remember that whole numbers have a “hidden” decimal at their ends. For example, to convert 31%, you would move the “hidden” decimal to the right of the 1 two spaces to the left, which would leave you with .31.

In addition, remember that there are also “hidden” 0s before every whole number. For example, 4% could be written as 00004% as well. Therefore, to convert 4% to a decimal, you would move the hidden decimal to the right of the 4 two places to the left, inserting a 0 to the left of the 4. Therefore, 4% as a decimal would be written as .04.

This post is part of the series: Fraction, Decimal, and Percent Conversions

Confused about how to do fraction, decimal, and percent conversions? It can get complicated, but if you learn each conversion separately, you’ll soon be converting like a pro!

  1. Converting Decimals to Percents and Percents to Decimals
  2. Converting Fractions to Decimals and Decimals to Fractions
  3. Converting Percents to Fractions and Fractions to Percents