How to calculate a grade percentage
Divide the points you got by the total points and multiply by 100. 43 out of 50: 43 ÷ 50 × 100 = 86%.
On a common US scale, 90% and above is an A, 80% a B, 70% a C and 60% a D, but your school’s scale may differ.
What score do I need?
Multiply the total by the target percentage. To get 80% on a 35-point quiz you need 80% of 35 = 28 points.
Worked examples
| Question | Calculation | Working | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| What percent is 28 out of 35? | X is what percent of Y? | 28 ÷ 35 × 100 | 80% |
| 45 out of 60 as a percent | X is what percent of Y? | 45 ÷ 60 × 100 | 75% |
| I scored 72 out of 80, what is my grade? | X is what percent of Y? | 72 ÷ 80 × 100 | 90% |
Frequently asked questions
How do I average grades from tests with different totals?
Add all the points you got and divide by all the points possible. Averaging the percentages only works when every test has the same total.
How do weighted grades work?
Multiply each category’s percentage by its weight and add them up: 90% on homework (40%) and 80% on exams (60%) gives 0.4 × 90 + 0.6 × 80 = 84%.
What is 17 out of 20 as a percentage?
17 ÷ 20 × 100 = 85%.
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