Enter the control activity and the sample activity into the calculator to determine the percent inhibition.

Percent Inhibition Calculator

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Percent Inhibition Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the percent inhibition for a given control and sample activity.

I = ((C - S) / C) * 100

Variables:

  • %I is the percent inhibition
  • C is the control activity
  • S is the sample activity

To calculate the percent inhibition, subtract the sample activity from the control activity. Divide the result by the control activity and multiply by 100 to get the percentage.

What is Percent Inhibition?

Percent inhibition is a measure used in various scientific fields, particularly in biochemistry and pharmacology, to quantify the extent to which a substance (such as a drug or inhibitor) reduces the activity of a particular enzyme or biological process. It is expressed as a percentage and indicates how much the activity is reduced compared to a control (untreated) sample. This metric is crucial for understanding the efficacy of potential therapeutic agents and for comparing the potency of different substances.

How to Calculate Percent Inhibition?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Percent Inhibition.


  1. First, determine the control activity (C).
  2. Next, determine the sample activity (S).
  3. Next, calculate the percent inhibition using the formula %I = ((C - S) / C) * 100.
  4. Finally, calculate the Percent Inhibition.
  5. After inserting the values and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Control Activity (C) = 100 units

Sample Activity (S) = 70 units