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How to Calculate Grades Into a Percentage

To calculate a grade, divide the points earned by the total possible points and multiply by 100. The result is the percentage score, which the grading scale then converts into a letter grade.

3-step method · Worked examples · Updated August 30, 2026

The grade percentage formula

Grade %=
Points earnedTotal possible points
× 100

Calculate a test grade in three steps

  1. 1

    Find the points earned

    Subtract wrong answers or missed points from the total possible points. For 25 questions with 2 wrong, the student earned 23 points.

  2. 2

    Divide earned points by the total

    Divide 23 by 25. The result is 0.92.

  3. 3

    Multiply by 100

    Multiply 0.92 by 100 to get a final score of 92%.

Grade calculation examples

20 questions, 3 wrong17 ÷ 20 × 100 = 85%Letter grade: B
40 points, 5.5 missed34.5 ÷ 40 × 100 = 86.25%Letter grade: B
50 points, 4 bonus54 ÷ 50 × 100 = 108%Bonus score above 100%

Raw scores, percentages, and letter grades

A raw score is the number of questions correct or points earned. The percentage expresses that raw score out of 100. The grading scale then assigns a letter grade to the percentage. For example, 18 correct out of 20 is a raw score of 18/20, a percentage of 90%, and a letter grade determined by the course scale.

How to calculate a weighted grade

For weighted categories, multiply each category average by its decimal weight, then add the results. If exams are 50% of the course and the exam average is 88%, that category contributes 44 points to the final percentage. Repeat the process for quizzes, homework, projects, and participation, or let the gradebook calculator do it. A course scored on total points instead of category weights uses the points grade calculator.

When rounding changes the result

Keep the full decimal while calculating and round only when the grading policy says to do so. A displayed 89.5% may round to 90% under one policy and remain below an A− threshold under another. The syllabus determines the official method.

Grade for a specific number of questions

Because each question is worth 100 ÷ total questions, every test length has its own fixed set of scores. Ready-made tables: 20 questions, 25 questions, 50 questions, and any size.

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Calculating grades FAQ

How do you calculate a grade into a percentage?+

Divide the points earned by the total points possible and multiply by 100. Twenty-three correct out of 25 questions is 23 ÷ 25 × 100 = 92%. Bonus points are added to the earned total first, which can push a score above 100%.

How do you calculate a letter grade?+

First work out the percentage, then match it to the grading scale. On the standard US scale, 90–100% is an A, 80–89% a B, 70–79% a C, 60–69% a D, and below 60% an F, with optional plus and minus bands.

How do teachers calculate grades for a class?+

For an equally weighted test, teachers divide correct answers by total questions for each paper — a grade chart or grade calculator does this in bulk. For a whole course, they combine weighted categories: each category average times its weight, added together.

How do you calculate a grade with weighted categories?+

Multiply each category average by its decimal weight and add the results. Exams at 50% with an 88% average contribute 44 points; add the contributions from every category for the course percentage. The gradebook calculator does this automatically.

What is the formula for a grade percentage?+

Grade % = (points earned ÷ total possible points) × 100. It is the same whether the raw score is counted in questions or points.

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