Percent Error Calculator
Calculate the percent error between experimental and theoretical values
Percent error is a measure of how far an experimental or measured value deviates from the accepted or theoretical value. It is expressed as a percentage and helps scientists and researchers evaluate the accuracy of their measurements and experiments.
The concept is widely used in scientific research, engineering, manufacturing, and quality control to assess the reliability of measurements and identify potential sources of error.
The percent error is calculated using the following formula:
Percent Error = |Experimental Value - Theoretical Value| ÷ |Theoretical Value| × 100%
The calculation involves these steps:
- Calculate the absolute difference between experimental and theoretical values
- Divide by the absolute value of the theoretical value
- Multiply by 100 to convert to percentage
Percent error calculations are essential in various fields:
- Scientific Research: Validating experimental results and measurement accuracy
- Manufacturing: Quality control and tolerance checking
- Engineering: Verifying calculations and measurements
- Education: Teaching measurement accuracy and error analysis
- Laboratory Work: Assessing experimental procedures and equipment calibration
- Use properly calibrated measuring instruments
- Take multiple measurements and calculate the average
- Control environmental conditions during measurements
- Follow proper experimental procedures and techniques
- Document all potential sources of error
- Use appropriate significant figures in calculations
What is the difference between absolute error and percent error?
Absolute error is the actual difference between experimental and theoretical values, while percent error expresses this difference as a percentage of the theoretical value.
Can percent error be negative?
While the raw calculation can be negative, percent error is typically reported as an absolute value (positive number) since it represents the magnitude of the error regardless of whether the experimental value is higher or lower than the theoretical value.
What is considered an acceptable percent error?
The acceptable percent error varies by field and application. In some cases, 1% might be too high, while in others, 10% might be acceptable. It depends on the precision requirements of your specific situation.