Formula
Percent error compares the absolute difference between experimental and accepted values to the accepted value.
percent error = |experimental - accepted| ÷ |accepted| × 100
Free percentage tool
Percent Error Calculator
Calculate percent error for science, chemistry, physics, labs, and measurement comparisons.
Examples
- Experimental 9.7 and accepted 10: |9.7 - 10| ÷ 10 × 100 = 3%.
- Experimental 105 and accepted 100: percent error = 5%.
Frequently asked questions
Short, practical answers for this calculation.
Why use absolute value?
Many classes use absolute error so the result measures size of error, not direction.
Can accepted value be zero?
No. The formula divides by the accepted value.
Is percent error always positive?
With the common absolute-value formula, yes.
Where is percent error used?
It is common in labs, measurement, chemistry, physics, and quality checks.
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