percent, per cent, per-cent, percentage

On this page

• Spelling of “percent” and “per cent” “percent one word” and “per cent two words”
• Use of the hyphen with “percent” and “per cent” “percent one word” and “per cent two words”
• Use of “percentage”
• Use of the percent sign (%)
• Use of “percent” or “per cent” “percent one word” or “per cent two words” with numbers written out in full
• A range of percentages
• A series of percentages
• Verb agreement with “percent,” “per cent” “percent one word,” “per cent two words” and “percentage”

Spelling of “percent” and “per cent” “percent one word” and “per cent two words”

The spellings percent and per cent “percent one word” and “per cent two words” are both correct. Traditionally, the two-word spelling has been more common in Canada and Britain, while the one-word spelling has been preferred in the United States. However, the one-word spelling appears to be gaining ground. Whichever spelling you choose, make sure to be consistent.

Use of the hyphen with “percent” and “per cent” “percent one word” and “per cent two words”

When percent or per cent “percent one word” or “per cent two words” is used as a modifier, you can either hyphenate it with the preceding word or omit the hyphen.

Hyphenated

• To rid your home of ants, wipe a five-percent “five hyphen percent” acid solution around the doors and windows.
• There is a ten-per-cent “ten hyphen per hyphen cent” chance of rain tonight.

Unhyphenated

• The results are accurate within a three percent “percent one word” margin of error.
• The school board noted a twelve per cent “per cent two words” increase in student registration.

Use of “percentage”

Use percentage when no number figure is mentioned. Don't use percent or per cent: “percent one word” or “per cent two words”

• What percentage of your company’s employees work flexible hours?

Use of the percent sign (%)

Use the percent sign only with figures. Leave no space between the figure and the sign:

• The newscaster announced a 2% increase in mortgage rates.

Use the percent sign in tables, forms, and technical or statistical texts or other documents that contain many figures.

• The report found that 29% of voters agreed with the proposal.

However, in general texts that contain few figures, don’t use the percent sign. Instead, write out the term in full, either as one word or two.

• The manager found that only 12 percent “percent one word” of her employees wanted to join the coffee club.
• Students spend about 14 per cent “per cent two words” of their waking hours in school.

Use of “percent” or “per cent” “percent one word” or “per cent two words” with numbers written out in full

If you write out a number in full, use the term percent or per cent: “percent one word” or “per cent two words”

• Only eight percent “percent one word” of Canada’s forests are protected from exploitation.
• Ten per cent “per cent two words” of the profits were donated to a local charity.

A range of percentages

In a range, repeat the percent sign after each number, and use an en dash between the percentages:

• Since the store is closing, the owner is offering 40%–60% discounts.

When using the term percent or per cent, “percent one word” or “per cent two words” don’t repeat it after each number. Write it out just once after the last figure:

• The 20 to 50 percent “percent one word” discounts were available online only.
• New customers were offered discounts of 10 to 25 per cent. “per cent two words”

A series of percentages

In a series, repeat the percent sign after each number:

• The hotel was offering discounts of 20%, 30% and 40%.

When using the term percent or per cent, “percent one word” or “per cent two words” don’t repeat it after each number. Write it out just once after the last figure:

• Discounts of 20, 30 and 40 percent “percent one word” were available for bulk purchases.
• Registration fees were discounted by 5, 10 or 15 per cent. “per cent two words”

Verb agreement with “percent,” “per cent” “percent one word,” “per cent two words” and “percentage”

The nouns percent, per cent “percent one word,” “per cent two words” and percentage take either a singular or a plural verb, depending on the noun they refer to.

• Singular verb: What percentage of our planet’s water is contained in the oceans? [In this sentence, percentage refers to our planet’s water.]
• Plural verb: Forty percent “percent one word” of Canadian adults have difficulty reading. [In this sentence, percent refers to Canadian adults.]
• Plural verb: Twenty-five per cent “per cent two words” of the employees want more time allocated to training. [In this sentence, percent refers to employees.]