%
Percent sign
The percent sign (%) is a symbol used to indicate a percentage, representing a proportion out of 100. It is essential in mathematics, finance, statistics, and everyday calculations.
Technical Details
- ASCII Code
- 37
- HTML Entity
- %
- Hexadecimal
- 0x25
- Binary
- 00100101
- Octal
- 45
Usage & Examples
Programming
char symbol = '%'; // ASCII 37HTML/Web
% or %Common Uses
How to Type This Character
Windows
Mac
💡 Pro tip: The fastest way is to bookmark this page or copy the character from our ASCII library!
Related Characters
About the Percent sign
Mathematical Significance
The percent symbol represents the mathematical concept of 'per centum' (Latin for 'per hundred'), allowing for standardized expression of ratios, proportions, and rates. It simplifies complex fraction calculations by providing a universal base of 100.
Modern Usage
Ubiquitous in business, finance, education, and digital interfaces, the percent sign appears in everything from interest rates and tax calculations to battery indicators and loading screens. It has become fundamental to data visualization and user experience design.
Technical Details
The percent symbol appears as ASCII code 37 in standard ASCII encoding and Unicode U+0025. It consists of a solidus (/) with a circle above and below, though modern typography often uses two circles connected by a diagonal line.
Cultural Variations
While % is standard in most countries, some regions use alternative notations like ‰ (per mille, meaning per thousand) for smaller percentages, or regional variants in financial documentation.
History of the Percent sign
Early Fraction Notation
Italian mathematicians began using 'per cento' (per hundred) in manuscripts, laying the groundwork for percentage notation. Early forms included writing out the full phrase or using abbreviations like 'p. 100'.
Symbol Evolution Begins
Mathematicians started abbreviating 'per cento' to 'pc' and eventually 'p°/°°' (using degree symbols). The transition from written notation to symbolic representation began during this period of mathematical standardization.
Modern Symbol Emerges
The recognizable % symbol first appeared in manuscript calculations, likely evolved from the abbreviation 'p°/°°' where the 'p' became stylized and the degree symbols became circles connected by the solidus line.
ASCII Standardization
The percent sign was assigned ASCII code 37 in the American Standard Code for Information Interchange, ensuring its presence in computer systems and establishing its role in programming and digital communications.
Digital Age Integration
With the rise of personal computing and spreadsheet software like VisiCalc and Lotus 1-2-3, the percent symbol became central to digital calculations, data analysis, and business computing.
Cultural Impact
The percent symbol has become one of the most recognized mathematical symbols globally, transcending language barriers and enabling universal understanding of proportional relationships in commerce, science, and daily life.
Usage Examples
Finance & Banking
ExampleEssential for expressing rates, returns, and financial calculations
Statistics & Research
ExampleStandard notation for poll results, confidence intervals, and statistical data
Digital Interfaces
ExampleUniversal indicator for completion status and resource utilization
Business & Marketing
ExampleCommon in pricing, analytics, and performance metrics
Programming & URL Encoding
ExampleTechnical usage in web development and programming languages