Percent Complete Calculator
Calculate Percent Complete step by step: Percent complete = EV ÷ BAC (or units done ÷ total units).
In short
Formula: Percent complete = EV ÷ BAC (or units done ÷ total units). Percent spent = AC ÷ EAC.
What this calculator does
Calculate Percent Complete step by step: Percent complete = EV ÷ BAC (or units done ÷ total units). Worked example, questions and limitations included.
Use it to turn Basis, EV, units completed or AC, BAC, total units or EAC into a checked result you can compare, copy, or rerun with different assumptions.
The page shows the formula, a numeric worked example, and the assumptions that affect this earned value calculation.
Inputs and what they mean
- Basis
- — choice value.
- EV, units completed or AC
- — number value.
- BAC, total units or EAC
- — number value.
How to use it
- Enter each value in the unit shown next to the box (use the unit converter first if your numbers are in other units).
- Check the breakdown to see every intermediate step.
- Read the limitations before relying on the result.
Formula
Definitions follow the PMI PMBOK Guide and the ANSI/EIA-748 earned value management standard.
Physical percent complete should come from objective measures, not hours burned.
Percent spent is a different measure and is labelled separately so the two are not confused.
Percent complete = EV ÷ BAC (or units done ÷ total units). Percent spent = AC ÷ EAC.
Inputs used: Basis, EV, units completed or AC, BAC, total units or EAC.
Worked example
EV 175,000 of BAC 500,000
- 175,000 ÷ 500,000 = 35%.
Reading the result
The headline figure is the main answer. Any breakdown underneath shows the parts that make it up, so you can check the working and see what changes when you adjust an input.
Limitations and assumptions
- Depends on the quality of your progress measurement.
- One overall figure; no per-task view.
- Percent spent is not progress.
- Results are planning estimates built only from the figures you enter. They are not a guarantee of cost, schedule or delivery, and they do not replace your organisation's own project controls.
- The result depends on the values you enter for this percent complete calculator; it does not supply missing rates, rules, prices, dates, or assumptions for you.
Common questions
Why not use hours spent?
Hours spent measure effort, not progress. A task can burn 90% of its hours and be 50% done.
What is the 90% syndrome?
Tasks reported as 90% done for a long time. Objective measures like 0/100 or milestones prevent it.
Which basis should I use?
Use EV ÷ BAC on EVM projects, units on repetitive physical work, and keep percent spent only for comparison. Check the formula, example, and limitations on this page before using the result for a real earned value decision.
How do I use the Percent Complete Calculator?
Enter the required values for Basis, EV, units completed or AC, BAC, total units or EAC. The calculator applies the formula on this page and shows the main result with any supporting breakdown so you can check the arithmetic.
What formula does the Percent Complete Calculator use?
Percent complete = EV ÷ BAC (or units done ÷ total units). Percent spent = AC ÷ EAC. The visible formula section above lists the calculation path and the edge cases the page handles, so the result can be checked without relying on the form alone.
Can the Percent Complete Calculator be used for exact decisions?
Use it as a calculation aid, not as a substitute for checking the underlying rule, contract, policy, or professional advice that applies to your situation. When a result depends on local rules, personal details, prices, or dates, enter those values yourself and confirm them before acting.
Related tools
Calculate Planned Value step by step: PV = BAC × planned % complete at the status date.
Calculate Earned Value step by step: EV = BAC × actual % complete.
Calculate Actual Cost (Earned Value) step by step: AC = sum of all costs actually incurred for the work performed to the status date.
Calculate Budget At Completion step by step: BAC = sum of the budgets of all work packages in the performance measurement baseline.