Throughout your academic career, from middle school tests to final college exams, your performance is often measured in points. A score of "45 out of 50" is a raw score, but converting it to a percentage gives it a universal meaning and allows it to be translated into a letter grade. Our Grade Percentage Calculator is a simple, essential tool for any student. It quickly converts your point-based scores into a clear percentage and provides the corresponding letter grade and 4.0 scale GPA value, helping you track your performance and understand exactly where you stand in a course.
How to Use the Grade Percentage Calculator
Calculating your grade percentage is a quick, two-step process:
- Enter Points Earned: Input the number of points you received on the test, assignment, or in the class.
- Enter Total Possible Points: Input the total number of points that were possible to earn.
- Calculate Your Grade: Click the "Calculate Grade" button to see your score as a percentage, its equivalent letter grade, and its GPA value.
The Math Behind the Grade
The calculation is a fundamental percentage problem that determines what part of the whole you achieved.
The Percentage Formula
To find the percentage, the calculator divides the points you earned by the total possible points and then multiplies the result by 100.
Percentage Grade = (Points Earned / Total Possible Points) × 100
For example, if you earned 88 points on an exam that was worth a total of 100 points, your percentage grade is 88%. If you earned 25 points on a 30-point quiz, your grade would be (25 / 30) × 100 = 83.3%.
From Percentage to Letter Grade
Once the percentage is calculated, it can be converted into a letter grade based on a standard grading scale. While scales can vary slightly by institution, a common one is:
- 90-100%: A
- 80-89%: B
- 70-79%: C
- 60-69%: D
- Below 60%: F
Our calculator uses a more granular scale that includes pluses and minuses (e.g., 90-92% is an A-, 87-89% is a B+) to provide a more detailed result, along with the corresponding 4.0 GPA value for each letter grade.
Using the Calculator for Academic Success
This tool is more than just a way to check a single score; it's a way to track your overall progress in a points-based course.
Calculating Your Overall Course Grade
Many classes are based on a total number of points accumulated throughout the semester rather than weighted percentages. For example, the entire course might be out of 1,000 points, with a midterm worth 200 points, a final worth 300, and homework assignments making up the rest.
To find your current standing in such a class, you can use this calculator. Add up all the points you have earned so far and enter that in the "Points Earned" field. Then, add up the total points possible for all the assignments you've completed and enter that in the "Total Possible Points" field. The result will be your current percentage grade in the class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the grading scale used by this calculator universal?
No. While the 90/80/70/60 scale is very common, grading scales can vary between schools and even between different professors at the same school. You should always consult your specific course syllabus or student handbook for the official grading scale used by your instructor or institution.
What if I earned extra credit?
If you earned extra credit points, you can add them to your "Points Earned" total. This may result in a percentage grade over 100%, which is a great achievement! For example, if you earned 105 points on a 100-point exam, your score is 105%.
How is this different from the Weighted Grade Calculator?
This calculator works for courses where the final grade is based on the total accumulation of points. Our Weighted Grade Calculator is for courses where different categories of assignments (like homework, quizzes, and exams) are worth a different percentage of the final grade.