How to subtract a percentage from a number in Excel and Google Sheets

Excel & Google Sheets

=B2*(1-C2)

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Verified example

Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.

=B2*(1-C2)→102

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Formula

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1Place the original value in one cell (e.g. B2) and the percentage to subtract in another (e.g. C2, formatted as a percentage).
2In a result cell, type =B2*(1-C2).
3Press Enter. The result is the original value after the percentage has been subtracted.

Make sure the percentage cell (C2) is stored as a decimal (e.g. 0.2 for 20%) or formatted as a percentage. If you type 20 instead of 20%, the formula becomes =B2*(1-20) which gives a wrong answer.
To subtract a hardcoded percentage, write =B2*(1-20%) or =B2*0.8 for a 20% reduction.

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They are mathematically the same. =B2*(1-0.2) and =B2-B2*0.2 both give the same result; the first form is just cleaner.

Yes — chain them: =B2*(1-C2)*(1-D2). Note this is a compound discount, not the same as adding the two percentages together.

Written and reviewed by FormulaCraft Team. Each formula on this page is run through our verification engine before publishing.

Last reviewed: May 28, 2026