How it works
A grade percentage is simply the points you earned divided by the points possible, times 100. It works the same for a 20-question quiz, a 410-mark exam or a whole term’s total. The calculator gives the percentage to two decimals, the usual letter grade, how many points you missed, and — if you set a goal — the exact score you need.
percentage = (points earned ÷ points possible) × 100 score needed = target % × points possible ÷ 100Worked example. You scored 372 out of 410: 372 ÷ 410 × 100 = 90.73%, an A, with 38 points missed. To reach 95% you would need 0.95 × 410 = 389.5 points. A quiz score of 17 out of 20 is 85% (B); 45 out of 60 is 75% (C).
Common US letter-grade scale
| Percentage | Letter |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Many schools add plus and minus grades (e.g. 87–89% = B+, 80–82% = B−), and some use 93% for an A. Check your syllabus. The “band” line uses a broader scale common in Middle Eastern schools (Excellent from 90%, Very good 80%, Good 65%, Pass 50%).
Combining several tests
- Add the points you earned on every test.
- Add the points possible on the same tests.
- Enter both totals. Six tests out of 100 with 534 points earned give 534 ÷ 600 = 89%.
Don’t average percentages when tests have different point totals — a 50-point quiz and a 100-point exam shouldn’t count equally. If your teacher weights categories (homework 20%, exams 50%…), use the weighted grade calculator instead.
Common mistakes
- Dividing by 100 instead of the points possible — 372 is not 37.2%; it depends on the total (410 here).
- Rounding too early — round only at the end; cut-offs are often decided by fractions of a percent.
- Mixing up percentage and GPA — GPA on a 4.0 scale is calculated differently; use the GPA calculator, or convert with GPA to percentage.