Weight Loss Percentage Calculator
Use our weight loss percentage to track your drop in weight in the form of a percentage.
Weight Loss Percentage:
Total Weight Loss
Joe is the creator of Inch Calculator and has over 20 years of experience in engineering and construction. He holds several degrees and certifications.
Hannah is an NASM and ACE certified personal trainer with a Master's degree in exercise science.
How to Calculate a Weight Loss Percentage
Whether you’re participating in a weight loss competition, setting personal fitness goals, or tracking your progress over time, it’s often useful to express weight loss as a percentage. Typically, you might find that many weight loss programs utilize pounds or kilograms to determine weight loss, and this consensus is the same for much of the general population.
However, calculating a weight loss percentage helps compare progress irrespective of initial body weight.
Expressing weight loss as a percentage offers several advantages:
- Standardization: It allows individuals of different weights to compare their progress on a level playing field.
- Motivation: Seeing tangible progress, denoted as a percentage, can be a morale booster.
- Setting Realistic Goals: Knowing average percentages of weight loss can help in setting achievable targets.
- Progress: Seeing your weight loss as a percentage can be helpful in showing that your collaborative efforts to reach a healthy weight are working!
You can calculate a weight loss percentage using the percent decrease formula.
Weight Loss Percentage Formula
Using the percent decrease formula, the formula to calculate a weight loss percentage is:
weight loss percentage = weight loss / initial weight × 100%
Thus, the weight loss percentage is equal to the total weight lost divided by the initial weight, multiplied by 100%. You can calculate your total weight loss by subtracting your current weight from your starting weight.
For example, let’s say someone started at 200 pounds and has dropped their weight to 180 pounds. You can calculate their weight loss as a percentage using the formula above.
Start by finding the amount of weight they lost.
200 lbs – 180 lbs = 20 lbs lost
Then, divide the weight loss by the initial weight.
20 lbs / 200 lbs × 100% = 10%
So, in this example, this person lost 10% of their initial body weight.
If you’re trying to lose weight, we suggest using our weight loss calculator to calculate how many calories you should consume to lose weight.
Keep in mind that several factors work together in order to influence weight loss. Adequate rest, regular physical activity, a whole, nutrient-dense diet, and stress management all play a role in losing weight in a safe and healthy manner.
Knowing your weight loss percentage, at the end of the day, is just one of the many ways that you can hold yourself accountable for your weight loss journey!