Test Score
Your Grade
About this test grade calculator
This is the fastest way to answer the classic question: "What grade is 87 out of 100?" Enter the points you earned and the total points possible, pick your school's grading scale, and the calculator returns the percentage, the letter grade and exactly how many points separate you from the next letter.
It works for anything scored with points: quizzes, midterms, finals, lab reports, homework sets — even the "23 out of 30" style scores that do not convert cleanly in your head. Teachers use it as a quick grader to sanity-check the curve before posting results.
Three grading scales are built in. The Standard 10-point scale (A = 90–100, B = 80–89.9 and so on) is the most common in U.S. high schools and many colleges. The Plus/minus scale adds the A–, B+, C– steps used by many universities. The Strict scale (A from 94) mirrors the tougher cutoffs some competitive schools publish in their syllabi.
How a point score becomes a grade
First the raw score is converted to a percentage: divide points earned by points possible and multiply by 100. Then the percentage is matched against the grading scale boundaries. For example, 87 points out of 100 = 87%. On the Standard 10-point scale that lands in the B band (80–89.9), so the grade is B — and you were 3 points short of an A.
Odd totals work the same way: 23 out of 30 = 76.7%, a C on the standard scale and a C+ on a plus/minus scale. Extra credit that pushes you above 100% is capped at the maximum letter grade.
Letter grade cutoffs by scale
| Letter | Standard | Plus/minus | Strict |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90–100 | 93–100 | 94–100 |
| A- | – | 90–92.9 | – |
| B+ | – | 87–89.9 | – |
| B | 80–89.9 | 83–86.9 | 87–93.9 |
| B- | – | 80–82.9 | – |
| C+ | – | 77–79.9 | – |
| C | 70–79.9 | 73–76.9 | 79–86.9 |
| C- | – | 70–72.9 | – |
| D+ | – | 67–69.9 | – |
| D | 60–69.9 | 63–66.9 | 66–78.9 |
| D- | – | 60–62.9 | – |
| F | 0–59.9 | 0–59.9 | 0–65.9 |
How to calculate a test grade from points
- Enter the points you earned: Type the number of points from your graded paper, for example 87.
- Enter the total points possible: Type the maximum score of the test, for example 100 or 30.
- Pick the grading scale: Choose Standard, Plus/minus or Strict depending on your school's policy — the letter grade updates instantly, including how many points you missed the next grade by.
Frequently asked questions
What grade is 87 out of 100?
On the standard U.S. 10-point scale, 87% is a B (the B band runs 80–89.9). On a plus/minus scale it becomes a B+ since 87 meets the 87% cutoff. Only a strict syllabus that starts A at 85 or higher would call it an A.
What is the standard grading scale in the U.S.?
The most common 10-point scale is: A = 90–100, B = 80–89.9, C = 70–79.9, D = 60–69.9, F = below 60. Many colleges and some high schools add plus and minus grades (A– from 90, B+ from 87 and so on), and individual teachers can set tougher cutoffs in their syllabus.
How do I calculate my test percentage?
Divide the points you earned by the points possible and multiply by 100. Example: 45 points on a 60-point test → 45 ÷ 60 = 0.75 → 75%, which is a C on the standard scale. This calculator does the math for you and shows the letter grade and the gap to the next one.
Is a 60 or a 70 a passing grade?
It depends on the institution. Most U.S. high schools pass students at 60% (D or above), while many colleges require 70% (C or above) in major and prerequisite courses. Some programs treat a D as credit-but-not-toward-the-major. Always check the catalog for your specific program.