How it works
A percentage grade expresses how much of the available credit you captured: percent = (earned ÷ possible) × 100. Letter grades bucket that percentage into coarse bands for report cards and transcripts. This engine uses the common US ten-point scale: A ≥ 90%, B ≥ 80%, C ≥ 70%, D ≥ 60%, F below 60%. Some schools use plus/minus at 87/83/77 etc. — this tool reports whole-letter bands only; adjust mentally if your syllabus differs. Worked example: 88 earned of 100 possible. Percent = 88 ÷ 100 × 100 = 88%. That falls in the B band (80–89%), not A (needs 90+). If the same student earns 45 of 50 on the next exam: 45 ÷ 50 = 90% — an A on that assessment. Course grades combine multiple assessments with weights — this calculator handles one assignment at a time; use the GPA tool for credit-weighted course averages. Extra credit can push earned above possible on a single assignment; the engine allows earned > possible and reports >100%. Rounding policy (round up 89.5 to A?) is institution-specific and not applied here.
Formula
Percent = earned ÷ possible × 100 | A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, else F
Tips
- Know your school's plus/minus cutoffs — 89.4 may be B+ or A− depending on policy.
- Weighted course grades need each assignment's percent times its weight — not a simple average of percents.
- Calculate 'what do I need on the final' by solving for earned given a target percent.
- Extra credit above 100% on one test does not always carry to the course if the syllabus caps scores.
Frequently asked questions
- What letter grade is 88%?
- B on the standard scale (80–89%). A requires 90% or higher.
- How do I calculate my test grade?
- Divide points earned by points possible, multiply by 100. 44/50 = 88%.
- What score do I need for an A?
- At least 90% of possible points. On a 100-point test, 90 points; on 50 points, 45 points.
- Is 60% passing?
- Often D is the minimum passing grade (60–69%), but graduation and prerequisite courses may require C (70%) or higher. Check your syllabus.