Convert percentages, decimals, and basis points, calculate a rate change in bps, or find the monetary impact of basis points on an amount.

Basis Points Formula

A basis point is one one-hundredth of a percentage point. That means 1 basis point equals 0.01%, and 100 basis points equal 1%.

bps = percent × 100
percent = bps / 100
rate change in bps = (to rate - from rate) × 100
  • bps: basis points
  • percent: the percentage value, such as 0.25%
  • from rate: the starting rate, entered as a percent
  • to rate: the ending rate, entered as a percent
  • rate change in bps: the difference between two percentage rates expressed in basis points

The percent to basis points function multiplies the percent value by 100. For example, 0.25% becomes 25 basis points.

The basis points to percent function divides the basis points value by 100. For example, 50 basis points becomes 0.50%.

The rate change function subtracts the starting rate from the ending rate, then converts that percentage-point difference into basis points. A positive result is an increase, and a negative result is a decrease.

Common Basis Point Conversions

Basis points Percent Decimal
1 bps 0.01% 0.0001
5 bps 0.05% 0.0005
10 bps 0.10% 0.0010
25 bps 0.25% 0.0025
50 bps 0.50% 0.0050
75 bps 0.75% 0.0075
100 bps 1.00% 0.0100

Typical Rate Change Meanings

Rate change Basis points Common wording
0.10 percentage points 10 bps Ten basis points
0.25 percentage points 25 bps Quarter-point move
0.50 percentage points 50 bps Half-point move
0.75 percentage points 75 bps Three-quarter-point move
1.00 percentage point 100 bps One full percentage point

Example Calculations

Example 1: Convert percent to basis points

You want to convert 0.25% to basis points.

bps = 0.25 × 100 = 25

So, 0.25% equals 25 basis points.

Example 2: Find the change between two rates

A rate moves from 5.00% to 5.25%.

rate change in bps = (5.25 - 5.00) × 100 = 25

The rate increased by 25 basis points, which is a 0.25 percentage-point increase.

FAQs

How many basis points are in 1%?

There are 100 basis points in 1%. Since 1 basis point equals 0.01%, you multiply a percent by 100 to convert it to basis points.

Is a basis point the same as a percentage point?

No. A basis point is smaller than a percentage point. One percentage point equals 100 basis points. For example, a move from 4% to 5% is a 1 percentage-point increase, or 100 basis points.

What does a negative basis point change mean?

A negative basis point change means the rate went down. For example, if a rate falls from 6.00% to 5.75%, the change is -25 basis points.