Percent Error Calculator
Calculate percent error to measure the accuracy of experimental results, measurements, and predictions compared to theoretical or expected values.
Calculate Percent Error
The accepted, true, or expected value
The observed or measured value
Percent Error
Accuracy
Absolute Error
Formula
Where:
- | | denotes absolute value
- Experimental = measured value
- Theoretical = expected/true value
Examples
Lab Measurement:
Expected: 9.8 m/s², Measured: 9.6 m/s² = 2.04% error
Temperature Reading:
Expected: 100°C, Measured: 98.5°C = 1.5% error
Error Level Classification
Real-World Applications
Scientific Experiments
Validate experimental results against theoretical predictions in physics, chemistry, and biology.
Quality Control
Assess manufacturing precision and measurement accuracy in production processes.
Instrument Calibration
Evaluate the accuracy of measuring instruments and calibration procedures.
Data Analysis
Compare model predictions with actual observations in research and analytics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Percent error is calculated using the formula: |Experimental Value - Theoretical Value| / |Theoretical Value| × 100. It measures how far off an experimental measurement is from the expected or theoretical value.
Tips
- Enter the dimensions in the same unit for consistency.
- Results update automatically as you type.
- Use the unit selector to convert between different measurement systems.