# Modulo operation Learn how to calculate the modulus of a division. The modulo operation calculates the modulus of a division, which is the rest of the division that cannot be expressed as an exact multiple of the divisor. > **Modulo vs. percent** > > While some languages use the `%{:cql}` symbol for performing the modulo operation, CQL uses the `mod{:cql}` keyword to avoid confusion with the [percent operation](/reference/cql/expressions/operations/arithmetic/percent). To use the modulo operator, place the `mod` keyword between two numeric values: ```cql /**/ mod /**/ ``` You can also use the full name of the operation if you prefer: ```cql /**/ modulo /**/ ``` Here is a practical example: ```cql 7 mod 3 // 1 ``` In the above example, the number 7 cannot be completely divided by 3, and there is a remainder of 1. It is important to emphasize that modulo calculates the modulus and not the remainder. Although they may appear to be the same in many cases, there is a difference when dealing with negative numbers. Imagine a scenario where you are dividing -7 by 3: - The **remainder** would be -1, as this is the difference between -7 and -6, which is the nearest multiple of 3 that is less than -7. - The **modulus** would be 2, as this is the difference between -7 and -9, which is the nearest multiple of 3 that is greater than -7. Since CQL uses the modulus definition, the result of the above operation is 2.