Percentages

A2 · ElementaryEnglish Basics

Learn how to read percentages and understand common percentage expressions.

What you'll learn

The % symbol and word
"Out of 100" meaning
Decimal percentages
Everyday percentage phrases

The percent symbol

% = percent. We use "percent" as the primary American English form.

1% → one percent

10% → ten percent

25% → twenty-five percent

50% → fifty percent

100% → one hundred percent

What it means

Percent means "out of 100".

50% = 50 out of 100 = one half

25% = 25 out of 100 = one quarter

Decimal percentages

2.5% → two point five percent

0.5% → zero point five percent

This connects directly to the Decimals lesson — the decimal point is still read as "point".

Real life

Discounts, progress, battery levels, survey results.

20% off75% completeBattery: 50%

Language

a 20% discount → "a twenty percent discount"

Prices are 20% lower.

Review Decimals

Practice

Exercise 1 · Read the symbol

25% →

Exercise 2 · Match to the fraction

0 / 4 matched

Exercise 3 · Read 2.5%

2.5% →

Exercise 4 · Correct spelling

Choose the correct spelling:

Exercise 5 · Interpret "20% off"

"20% off" means:

Exercise 6 · Progress bar and battery

A progress bar shows 75% complete. How do you say this?

Your phone battery shows 50%. How do you say this level?

Exercise 7 · Match the visual

Which percentage is shown?

Exercise 8 · "20% off" vs. "$20 off"

A jacket costs $50. Which discount saves you more money?

Quick challenge

Five quick questions to check what stuck.

Question 1 / 5

Score: 0/0

% means:

You learned

% means percent.
Percent means "out of 100".
50% = one half; 25% = one quarter.
Decimal percentages use the same point reading as decimals.
Common phrases: "20% off", "75% complete".