On the most common U.S. scale, an A is 90–100%, a B is 80–89%, a C is 70–79%, a D is 60–69%, and an F is anything below 60%. Schools that use plus and minus grades split each letter into smaller ranges, such as A– = 90–92% and B+ = 87–89%.
This guide gives you the percentage for every letter grade, compares the main scales side by side, and shows a method most guides skip: how to turn letter grades back into a percentage.
Key Takeaways
- Basic scale: A = 90–100%, B = 80–89%, C = 70–79%, D = 60–69%, F = below 60%.
- Plus/minus scale: A+ starts at 97%, A at 93%, A– at 90%, and so on down to D– at 60%.
- Stricter 7-point scale: A starts at 93%, B at 85%, C at 77%, D at 70%.
Percentage of Each Letter Grade (Basic Scale)
| Letter Grade | Percentage Range | GPA (4.0 Scale) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90 – 100% | 4.0 | Excellent |
| B | 80 – 89% | 3.0 | Good |
| C | 70 – 79% | 2.0 | Average |
| D | 60 – 69% | 1.0 | Barely passing |
| F | Below 60% | 0.0 | Failing |
Percentage of Each Letter Grade (Plus/Minus Scale)
| Letter Grade | Percentage Range | GPA Points | Typical Midpoint* |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97 – 100% | 4.0 | 98.5% |
| A | 93 – 96% | 4.0 | 94.5% |
| A– | 90 – 92% | 3.7 | 91% |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.3 | 88% |
| B | 83 – 86% | 3.0 | 84.5% |
| B– | 80 – 82% | 2.7 | 81% |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.3 | 78% |
| C | 73 – 76% | 2.0 | 74.5% |
| C– | 70 – 72% | 1.7 | 71% |
| D+ | 67 – 69% | 1.3 | 68% |
| D | 63 – 66% | 1.0 | 64.5% |
| D– | 60 – 62% | 0.7 | 61% |
| F | Below 60% | 0.0 | Under 60% |
*The midpoint is the middle of each range. It is an estimate used to turn a letter back into a percentage.
Want the full guides? See the grade scale and grading chart pages for GPA, weighted grades and international systems.
Letter Grade Percentages on Three Common Scales
| Letter | 10-Point (Basic) | 10-Point (Plus/Minus, whole letter) | 7-Point Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90 – 100% | 90 – 100% | 93 – 100% |
| B | 80 – 89% | 80 – 89% | 85 – 92% |
| C | 70 – 79% | 70 – 79% | 77 – 84% |
| D | 60 – 69% | 60 – 69% | 70 – 76% |
| F | Below 60% | Below 60% | Below 70% |
An 80% is a B on the 10-point scales but a C on the 7-point scale. That is why you should always check your school’s own chart. For more systems, see different grading scales for results calculation.
How to Find the Letter Grade for Any Percentage
Formula:
(Points Earned ÷ Total Points) × 100 = Percentage → match it to the chart
Example 1: A Test Score
A student scores 43 out of 50.
- Step 1: 43 ÷ 50 = 0.86
- Step 2: 0.86 × 100 = 86%
- Step 3: Match the chart → B (basic scale) or B (plus/minus, 83–86%)
See how to calculate grade percentage for the full method, or use the percentage calculator.
Example 2: A Weighted Course Grade
Say a student has:
- Homework (20% of grade): 92%
- Test (30% of grade): 78%
- Final Exam (50% of grade): 85%
Weighted Grade = (Score₁ × Weight₁) + (Score₂ × Weight₂) + (Score₃ × Weight₃)
Weighted Grade = (92 × 0.20) + (78 × 0.30) + (85 × 0.50) = 18.4 + 23.4 + 42.5 = 84.3%
That is a B on the basic scale and a B (83–86%) on the plus/minus scale. Learn more in how to calculate weighted average grades.
How to Turn Letter Grades Into a Percentage
Sometimes you have letters and need a percentage, for example to average old report cards. There are two methods.
Method 1: Use the Midpoint of Each Letter
Replace each letter with its midpoint from the table above, then average.
A student has B+, A–, B and C+.
- Step 1: Convert → 88, 91, 84.5, 78
- Step 2: Add → 88 + 91 + 84.5 + 78 = 341.5
- Step 3: Divide by 4 → 85.4%
- Step 4: Match the chart → B
This is an estimate. The student’s real percentages could be anywhere inside each range.
Method 2: Average the GPA Points (More Accurate for Letters)
- Step 1: Convert → 3.3, 3.7, 3.0, 2.3
- Step 2: Add → 12.3
- Step 3: Divide by 4 → 3.08 GPA (about a B)
Learn this method in how to calculate a GPA from letter grades or use the GPA calculator.
Borderline Percentages: A, B, C, D and F Cutoffs
The scores right on a line cause the most questions. Whether a school rounds up decides the letter.
| Percentage | Basic Scale | Question to Ask |
|---|---|---|
| 89.5% | B (A if rounded up) | Does my teacher round to 90? See is 89.5 an A or B |
| 79.5% | C (B if rounded up) | Is rounding to 80 allowed? |
| 78% | C | See is 78 a C |
| 70% | C | See is 70 a C or D |
| 69.5% | D (C if rounded up) | Does the school round? |
| 60% | D | See is 60 an F or D |
| 59.5% | F (D if rounded up) | Rounding policy decides it |
Quick answers for common scores: what grade is 70, what grade is 75 and what grade is 80.
Why Letter Grade Percentages Differ by School
- Plus/minus or not. Some schools drop A+ or D– entirely.
- 10-point vs. 7-point bands. The 7-point scale needs higher percentages.
- Higher passing marks. Some schools set the pass mark at 65% or 70%.
- Rounding rules. Some round to the nearest whole number, some truncate.
- Curves. A teacher may adjust scores. See how to curve test grades.
Practical Tips
- Find your school’s chart in the syllabus or handbook before you do any conversion.
- Work from percentages when you can. Letters hide the gap between an 80% and an 89%.
- Know where the next cutoff is. Aim for the lower edge of the next range.
- Use a calculator. The easy grade calculator turns raw scores into letters fast.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What percentage is each letter grade?
On the basic scale: A = 90–100%, B = 80–89%, C = 70–79%, D = 60–69%, F = below 60%.
2. What percent is an A?
An A is 90–100% on the basic scale. On the plus/minus scale, an A is 93–96%, an A– is 90–92% and an A+ is 97–100%.
3. What percent is a B?
A B is 80–89% on the basic scale. With plus/minus, B+ is 87–89%, B is 83–86% and B– is 80–82%.
4. What percent is a C?
A C is 70–79% on the basic scale. With plus/minus, C+ is 77–79%, C is 73–76% and C– is 70–72%.
5. What percent is a D?
A D is 60–69%. With plus/minus, D+ is 67–69%, D is 63–66% and D– is 60–62%.
6. What percent is failing?
Below 60% is an F at most U.S. schools. Some schools fail anything below 65% or 70%.
7. What percent is an A+?
An A+ is usually 97–100%. Some schools start the A+ at 98%, and many give no A+ at all.
8. What is the 7-point scale percentage for an A?
On the 7-point scale, an A is 93–100%, a B is 85–92%, a C is 77–84% and a D is 70–76%.
9. How do I convert a letter grade to a percentage?
Use the midpoint of the letter’s range (for example, B = 84.5% on the plus/minus scale), or average the GPA points. Both give an estimate, not an exact percentage.
10. Do all schools use the same letter grade percentages?
No. Cutoffs differ by school, district and country. Always use the scale in your own syllabus or handbook.
Conclusion
The percentage of each letter grade is simple on the basic scale: 90 for an A, 80 for a B, 70 for a C, 60 for a D. Plus and minus grades, the 7-point scale and school rounding rules change the cutoffs, so check your own chart before you convert. And when you need to go from letters back to a percentage, use midpoints for a quick estimate or GPA points for a better one.
Track your scores with the easy grade calculator, and see how to calculate grades in class to understand where you stand.
