Convert exam marks to a percentage across one or many subjects.
Got your results back and want them as a percentage? This marks percentage calculator turns marks obtained into a percentage for a single exam, or for several subjects at once. In the several-subjects mode, it adds up all the marks before dividing, which gives the correct overall percentage even when papers are out of different totals. It also shows a typical US letter grade for reference.
How to Use the Marks Percentage Calculator
Single exam
- Enter your marks obtained, such as 412.
- Enter the total marks, such as 500.
- Read your percentage, the letter grade on a typical US scale, and the marks lost.
Several subjects
- Enter each subject’s name, the marks you got and what it was out of.
- Use Add subject for more rows.
- Read your overall percentage, your total marks and a table with the percentage for each subject.
The Marks Percentage Formula
Percentage = Marks obtained ÷ Total marks × 100
For several subjects:
Overall percentage = Sum of marks obtained ÷ Sum of total marks × 100
Marks Percentage Examples
Single exam: 412 out of 500.
412 ÷ 500 = 0.824, and 0.824 × 100 = 82.4%, which is a B− on a typical US scale.
Three subjects, each out of 100.
English 78, Maths 91, Science 84. Total: 253 out of 300.
253 ÷ 300 × 100 = 84.33%.
The Mistake That Gives the Wrong Overall Percentage
When papers have different totals, averaging the percentages gives the wrong answer.
Example: English 45 out of 50 (90%) and Maths 70 out of 100 (70%).
- Wrong: average the percentages: (90 + 70) ÷ 2 = 80%.
- Right: add the marks: 115 out of 150, and 115 ÷ 150 × 100 = 76.67%.
The Maths paper is worth twice as many marks, so it should count for more. The several-subjects mode does this for you automatically.
If your school weights subjects or assignments differently, for example 40% for coursework and 60% for the final exam, the overall grade is a weighted average. A grade calculator handles that case.
How Many Marks Do You Need for a Target Percentage?
To work backwards from a percentage to marks:
Marks needed = Target percentage ÷ 100 × Total marks
- To get 90% on a paper out of 500: 0.90 × 500 = 450 marks.
- To get 75% on a test out of 80: 0.75 × 80 = 60 marks.
- If the answer is not a whole number, round up. 76% of 80 is 60.8, so you need 61 marks.
The same formula turns a percentage you have been given back into marks, which helps when a report card shows only percentages.
Typical US Letter Grade Scale
| Percentage | Grade |
|---|---|
| 93 to 100 | A (97+ is A+) |
| 90 to 92 | A− |
| 87 to 89 | B+ |
| 83 to 86 | B |
| 80 to 82 | B− |
| 77 to 79 | C+ |
| 73 to 76 | C |
| 70 to 72 | C− |
| 60 to 69 | D range |
| Below 60 | F |
Grade boundaries vary between schools, courses and countries, and many exam boards set new boundaries each year. Always check your own school’s scale.
When to Use a Different Calculator
- For a general percentage question, use the percentage calculator.
- To see how much your score went up between two tests, use the percentage change calculator.
- For a weighted course grade, use a grade calculator. For grade point average, use a GPA calculator.
Marks Percentage FAQs
How do I calculate the percentage of my marks?
Divide the marks you got by the total marks, then multiply by 100. 34 out of 40 is 34 ÷ 40 × 100 = 85%.
How do I calculate the percentage of marks for all subjects?
Add up all the marks you got, add up all the marks available, then divide the first total by the second and multiply by 100. Do not average the separate percentages if the papers have different totals.
Is a percentage the same as a grade?
No. A percentage is your score out of 100. A grade is the band that score falls into, and the bands depend on your school or exam board.
Can I enter half marks?
Yes. Enter decimals such as 37.5, and the calculator works them out in the same way.
Checking homework or test scores? Read our calculator tips for students, or our guide on how to calculate percentage by hand.
How we checked this page: every example was worked by hand and matches the calculator, including the overall percentage across papers with different totals.