Percent Error Calculator | Experimental Error Analysis Tool
Calculate the percent error between measured and actual values with our free scientific calculator. Ideal for lab reports, science experiments, and academic research.
Category: Math
About Percent Error
Percent error is a measure of how inaccurate a measurement is, standardized to how large the measurement is. It's calculated using the formula:
Where:
- Measured Value: The value obtained in an experiment or measurement
- Actual Value: The true or accepted value
- Absolute Error: The absolute difference between measured and actual values
Percent error is commonly used in science and engineering to express the accuracy of a measurement relative to the true value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is percent error?
Percent error is a measure of how inaccurate a measurement is, standardized to how large the measurement is. It's calculated as the absolute difference between the measured value and the actual value, divided by the actual value, then multiplied by 100 to express it as a percentage.
How do you calculate percent error?
To calculate percent error: 1) Subtract the accepted or actual value from the measured value; 2) Take the absolute value of this difference; 3) Divide by the absolute value of the accepted value; 4) Multiply by 100 to get a percentage. The formula is: |Measured - Actual| / |Actual| × 100%.
When is percent error important?
Percent error is important in experimental sciences like chemistry, physics, and engineering to evaluate the accuracy of measurements and experimental results. It's also used in quality control, manufacturing, and any field where precision measurements are required.
Can percent error be negative?
In most scientific applications, percent error is reported as an absolute value (always positive). However, in some contexts, the sign may be kept to indicate whether the measured value is higher (positive) or lower (negative) than the actual value.