Grade Percentage Calculator
Enter points earned and points possible to get your exact percentage and letter grade in a second.
Your score
86.00%
7 points missed
Letter grade
B
Based on the standard 90 / 80 / 70 / 60 grading scale.
How to Calculate a Grade Percentage
The most common grading question is also the simplest: I got this many points, so what percentage is that? The grade percentage formula is straightforward. Divide the points you earned by the total points possible, then multiply by 100 to express it as a percentage. This calculator does it instantly and maps the result onto the standard letter-grade scale, so you know both your score and where it lands on your report card.
The Formula
Percentage = (points earned / points possible) x 100. That single line covers almost every quiz, test, and assignment you will ever take. Once you have the percentage, you can look up the letter grade. On the standard scale used by most US schools, 90% and above is an A, 80 to 89% is a B, 70 to 79% is a C, 60 to 69% is a D, and anything below 60% is an F.
A Worked Example
Imagine you scored 43 points on a quiz worth 50 points. The math is (43 / 50) x 100 = 86%. On the plus/minus scale, 86% is a B. You missed 7 points, which the calculator also shows so you can see exactly how close you were to the next cutoff. If you had earned just one more point, 44 out of 50 would be 88%, a B+. Knowing how many points separate you from the next grade is useful when deciding whether to ask about a regrade.
Understanding Letter-Grade Cutoffs
Most schools use the 90/80/70/60 scale, but the plus and minus boundaries vary. A common convention puts A+ at 97% and above, A at 93 to 96%, A- at 90 to 92%, and the same three-point bands for each lower letter. Some instructors do not use pluses and minuses at all, while others use a steeper or gentler curve. Always confirm your course's exact scale on the syllabus, especially near a cutoff where a fraction of a percent changes your letter.
When to Use This Calculator
Use it the moment a graded assignment comes back so you immediately understand your standing. Use it before an exam to set a target: if you want at least a B, you know you need 80% of the available points. Pair it with the weighted grade calculator to see how a single score affects your overall course grade, and with the GPA calculator to translate your letter grades into a grade point average. Tracking each score this way removes the end-of-semester surprises that catch so many students off guard.