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How to calculate the percentage of a total in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:PercentagesExcel & Google Sheets
=B2/SUM($B$2:$B$5)✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Category | Sales |
| Electronics | 12000 |
| Clothing | 8000 |
| Grocery | 5000 |
| Books | 3000 |
=B2/SUM($B$2:$B$5)→0.4285714286
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Step by step
- 1In an empty column next to your values (e.g. C2), type =B2/SUM($B$2:$B$5).
- 2Lock the SUM range with $ so it stays fixed when you copy the formula down.
- 3Press Enter, then copy the formula down for all rows.
- 4Select the result cells and apply the Percentage number format (Home > % in Excel, or Format > Number > Percent in Sheets).
Tips
- Always lock the denominator range with absolute references ($) so it doesn't shift when the formula is copied.
- To show percentages with decimal places, use the format 0.00% in the format dialog.
Need it for your exact data?
Describe your columns in plain English and get the precise formula for your sheet, with the right Excel or Sheets syntax.
Frequently asked
My percentages don't add up to 100% — why?
Rounding in display can cause small discrepancies. The underlying values should sum to exactly 1 (or 100%). Check the actual cell values with =SUM(C2:C5).
Can I calculate percentage of a hardcoded total?
Yes — replace SUM($B$2:$B$5) with the total value directly, e.g. =B2/1000.
More on Percentages
See all →How-to
How to calculate a percentage
Work out what percentage one number is of another with a simple division, then format the result as a percent. Same in Excel and Google Sheets.
Error fixFix Wrong %
Fix wrong percentage results in Excel and Google Sheets — caused by conflating the percentage symbol with the decimal value or double-applying the % format.
How-toHow to calculate percentage change
Find the percentage increase or decrease between two numbers with (new − old) / old, then format as a percent. Works in Excel and Sheets.
How-toHow to add a percentage to a number
Increase a number by a percentage with number × (1 + rate) — handy for tax, markup, or raises. Same in both apps.
How-toHow to calculate a cumulative percentage
Use a running SUM divided by the total SUM to build a cumulative percentage column in Excel or Google Sheets.
How-toHow to calculate attendance percentage
Divide attended sessions by total sessions and multiply by 100 to get attendance percentage in Excel or Google Sheets.