Percent Error Calculator
Calculate the percent error between experimental and accepted values to measure accuracy in scientific experiments.
Calculate Percent Error
Percent Error Formula
|Experimental – Accepted| / |Accepted| × 100%
Percent error measures the accuracy of a measurement by comparing an experimental value to an accepted or known value.
Visualization
Accuracy Indicator
High Error Medium Low Error
Values Comparison
Error Interpretation
Enter values to see an interpretation of your percent error.
Examples & Applications
Common Examples
Physics Experiments
Measuring gravitational acceleration: experimental value vs. accepted value (9.8 m/s²)
Chemistry Measurements
Calculating density of substances and comparing to known values
Engineering
Testing material strength against theoretical calculations
Interpretation Guide
< 5%: Excellent accuracy
5-10%: Acceptable accuracy
10-20%: Moderate error
> 20%: Significant error
Tips for Reducing Error
- Use calibrated instruments
- Take multiple measurements
- Control environmental factors
- Follow proper measurement techniques