Percent Error Calc

What is Percent Error?

Percent error measures how much a measured or experimental value deviates from an accepted or actual value. It is commonly used in scientific experiments and engineering to assess the accuracy of measurements. The percentage error is expressed as a percentage and can help determine the significant discrepancy between the observed and theoretical values.

The formula for percent error is: 

|measured Value - True Value||True Value| x 100%

Where:

• Measured Value is the value obtained from an experiment or observation.
• True Value is the accepted or known correct value.

The absolute value ensures that the error is always positive, regardless of whether the measured value is higher or lower than the true value.

How to Use the Percent Error Calculator

Using our Percent Error Calculator is straightforward and involves a few simple steps:

1. Enter the Measured Value: Input the value from your experiment or observation.
2. Enter the True Value: Input the accepted or actual value for comparison.
3. Calculate Percent Error: Click the “Calculate” button. The calculator will process the data and provide the per cent error, showing how close or far your measured value is from the true value.

Example;

Let’s use an example to illustrate how the Percent Error Calculator works.

Problem: You measured the density of a liquid to be 2.5 grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm³). The accepted actual value for the density is 2.7 g/cm³. Calculate the per cent error of your measurement.

Data:

• Measured Value: 2.5 g/cm³
• True Value: 2.7 g/cm³

Solution

Step 01. Calculate the Absolute Error: 

Absolute Error = |Measured Value - True Value|

Absolute Error = |2.5 g/cm3 - 2.7 g/cm3|

Absolute Error = 0.2 g/cm3 

Step 02. Calculate the Percent Error: 

Percent Error = Absolute ErrorTrue Valu x 100%

Percent Error = 2.5 g/cm32.7 g/cm3 x 100%

Percent Error 7.41%

Percent Error: Approximately 7.41%

Uses of Our Percent Error Calculator

Our Percent Error Calculator provides several benefits:

Evaluates Measurement Accuracy

It helps determine how close your experimental results are to the true values, providing a clear measure of accuracy.

Enhances Learning

Assists students in understanding how to quantify and interpret errors in experiments and calculations, promoting better grasp of experimental accuracy and precision.

Supports Quality Control

In manufacturing and engineering, per cent error helps assess the quality of production processes and ensure products meet required specifications.

Improves Data Analysis

It allows researchers and analysts to evaluate the reliability of their data, making it easier to refine methods and improve accuracy in future experiments or calculations.