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Grade Calculator

Grade percentage equals earned points divided by total points, times 100. A student who earned 432 out of 500 points has a grade of 86.40% (B). This calculator also solves the reverse problem: given your current points, remaining points available, and a target grade, it calculates the exact score needed on the remaining work.

Quick Answer

432 out of 500 points is 86.40%, a B. To reach a 90% (A-) with 200 points remaining, a student at 432/500 needs 198 out of 200 (99.00%).

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Find What You Need

Common Examples

Input Result
432 earned / 500 total 86.40%, B
270 earned / 300 total 90.00%, A-
180 earned / 250 total 72.00%, C-
432/500 earned, 200 remaining, target 90% Need 198/200 (99.00%)
350/400 earned, 100 remaining, target 85% Need 75/100 (75.00%)

How It Works

Grade Percentage

Grade % = (Earned Points / Total Points) x 100

This is a straightforward ratio. If a student earns 432 points out of 500 total, the percentage is (432 / 500) x 100 = 86.40%.

Letter Grade Scale

This calculator uses the standard +/- grading scale:

  • A: 93% to 100%
  • A-: 90% to 92%
  • B+: 87% to 89%
  • B: 83% to 86%
  • B-: 80% to 82%
  • C+: 77% to 79%
  • C: 73% to 76%
  • C-: 70% to 72%
  • D+: 67% to 69%
  • D: 63% to 66%
  • D-: 60% to 62%
  • F: Below 60%

Note: Grading scales vary by institution. Some schools use different thresholds or do not use +/- grades.

Calculating What You Need

Points Needed = (Desired Grade / 100) x Total Possible Points - Current Points

Percent Needed on Remaining Work = (Points Needed / Remaining Points) x 100

Where Total Possible Points = Points so far + Remaining Points.

If the percent needed exceeds 100%, the desired grade is not achievable with the remaining work alone. If the percent needed is 0% or negative, the target grade has already been secured.

Worked Example

A student has earned 432 out of 500 points (86.40%, B). There are 200 more points available (final exam and a project). To achieve a 90% overall: Total possible = 500 + 200 = 700. Points needed for 90% = 0.90 x 700 = 630. Points still needed = 630 - 432 = 198. Percent needed on remaining = 198 / 200 x 100 = 99.00%. This is achievable but requires near-perfect performance.

Related Calculators

Final Grade Calculator

Calculate the grade you need on your final exam to reach your desired course grade.

Weighted Grade Calculator

Calculate your weighted grade from assignments, tests, and projects with different weights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grading scale does this calculator use?
This calculator uses the standard +/- scale where A starts at 93%, A- at 90%, B+ at 87%, and so on. Many institutions use this scale, but some use different cutoffs (e.g., A starting at 90% without +/- grades). Check your course syllabus for the exact scale used in your class.
How do I find my points earned and total points?
Check your learning management system (Canvas, Blackboard, etc.) or grade portal. Add up the scores you received on all graded assignments, tests, and quizzes for your earned points. Add up the maximum possible points for each for the total. Only include assignments that have been graded.
What if my class uses weighted categories?
If your class uses weighted categories (e.g., tests 40%, homework 30%, participation 30%), the simple points method may not apply directly. Use the weighted grade calculator on this site instead, which handles category weights.
Can I use this for a single assignment?
Yes. Enter the points you scored on the assignment as earned points and the maximum possible points as total points. The calculator will show the percentage and letter grade for that individual assignment.
What does it mean if the needed percentage is over 100%?
A needed percentage over 100% means the desired overall grade cannot be reached with the remaining assignments, even with perfect scores. Consider adjusting the target grade to a more realistic level or exploring extra credit options if available.