80 percent is a B on the basic U.S. 10-point scale and a B– on the plus/minus scale, worth about a 2.7 GPA. On a stricter 7-point scale, 80% is a C. It is a solid, above-average passing grade and the lowest score in the B range.
This guide shows what an 80 percent grade means on each major scale, which test scores equal 80%, how it converts to GPA, and how to move from 80% to a higher grade.
Key Takeaways
- 80% = B on the basic scale (80–89%), or B– with plus/minus (80–82%).
- GPA: 2.7 with plus/minus grades, or 3.0 with plain letters. Weighted honors and AP courses add 0.5 and 1.0.
- Scale matters: on the 7-point scale, 80% is only a C (77–84%).
What Letter Grade Is 80 Percent?
| Scale | Letter Grade for 80% | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Basic 10-point scale | B | 80 – 89% |
| 10-point scale with plus/minus | B– | 80 – 82% |
| 7-point scale | C | 77 – 84% |
| Pass/fail | Pass | 60%+ or 70%+ |
80% is the exact bottom of the B range, so even a small rounding difference can change the letter. If your score is 79.5% and your school rounds to the nearest whole number, it becomes 80%. If it does not round, 79.5% is a C+ on the plus/minus scale.
What Is 80 Percent as a GPA?
| Course Level | Plain Letters (B) | With Plus/Minus (B–) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (unweighted) | 3.0 | 2.7 |
| Honors (+0.5) | 3.5 | 3.2 |
| AP / IB (+1.0) | 4.0 | 3.7 |
So the answer to “what GPA is an 80?” is 2.7 on a plus/minus scale or 3.0 on a plain-letter scale. See how to calculate GPA with weighted grades or use the GPA calculator.
Test Scores That Equal 80 Percent
| Score | Percentage | Letter (Plus/Minus) |
|---|---|---|
| 4/5 | 80% | B– |
| 8/10 | 80% | B– |
| 12/15 | 80% | B– |
| 16/20 | 80% | B– |
| 20/25 | 80% | B– |
| 24/30 | 80% | B– |
| 28/35 | 80% | B– |
| 32/40 | 80% | B– |
| 40/50 | 80% | B– |
| 64/80 | 80% | B– |
| 80/100 | 80% | B– |
For more detail on a few of these, see the pages for 16/20, 20/25 and 24/30.
Step-by-Step Examples
Formula:
(Points Earned ÷ Total Points) × 100 = Percentage
Example 1: Convert a Test Score to 80%
A student scores 32 out of 40.
- Step 1: 32 ÷ 40 = 0.80
- Step 2: 0.80 × 100 = 80%
- Step 3: Match the chart → B (basic) or B– (plus/minus)
See how to calculate grade percentage for more.
Example 2: A Weighted Course Grade That Lands on 80%
Say a student has:
- Homework (20% of grade): 85%
- Test (30% of grade): 80%
- Final Exam (50% of grade): 78%
Weighted Grade = (Score₁ × Weight₁) + (Score₂ × Weight₂) + (Score₃ × Weight₃)
Weighted Grade = (85 × 0.20) + (80 × 0.30) + (78 × 0.50) = 17.0 + 24.0 + 39.0 = 80.0%
That is a B– (plus/minus) or a B (basic). Learn more in how to calculate weighted average grades.
Example 3: What Do You Need on the Final to Raise an 80%?
You have an 80% going into a final worth 25% of your grade. You want an 83% (a B) overall.
Needed Final Score = (Target − Current × (1 − Weight)) ÷ Weight
- Step 1: Current part of the grade → 80 × 0.75 = 60
- Step 2: Points still needed → 83 − 60 = 23
- Step 3: Divide by the final’s weight → 23 ÷ 0.25 = 92%
You need a 92% on the final. Use the what grade do I need calculator to try other targets.
Is 80 Percent a Good Grade?
Yes, at most schools. It is above the C range and passes comfortably, but it is only average to good in competitive settings.
| Setting | How 80% Is Usually Seen |
|---|---|
| High school | Good; solid B or B– |
| College | Good; B– is above the typical C minimum |
| Scholarships | May fall just short of a 3.0 GPA requirement if graded B– |
| Graduate programs | Often below the 3.0 minimum many programs list if it is a 2.7 |
If you need a 3.0, an 80% with plus/minus grades (2.7) is not enough. Read can I raise my GPA quickly for ways to move up.
80 Percent in Other Grading Systems
| Country / System | Approximate Equivalent of 80% |
|---|---|
| United States | B / B– (2.7–3.0 GPA) |
| United Kingdom (university) | First-class (70%+) |
| France (0–20 scale) | 16/20 |
| Germany (1.0–5.0, 1 best) | About 2.0 (Gut) |
| Canada | A– in many provinces |
The same 80% looks very different in the UK, where it is an excellent mark, than on a 7-point U.S. scale, where it is a C. See different grading scales for results calculation for more.
How to Improve From 80% to 90%
- Find the missed points. Tally where you lose marks: careless errors, one topic or timing.
- Practice with active recall. Quiz yourself instead of re-reading notes.
- Ask for feedback. A short talk with your teacher shows what a 90% answer looks like.
- Target the heavy items. Check how much a test grade is worth and focus on the biggest ones.
- Track your running grade. Use the easy grade calculator after every assignment.
- Compare nearby scores. Check what grade is 75 and is 78 a C to see how close the lines are.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What grade is 80 percent?
80 percent is a B on the basic scale and a B– on the plus/minus scale. On a 7-point scale, it is a C.
2. What GPA is an 80 percent?
It is a 2.7 with plus/minus grades and a 3.0 with plain letter grades.
3. Is 80 percent a good grade?
Yes. It is above average and passing, though it is the lowest B. Many scholarships and graduate programs want a 3.0 or higher.
4. Is 80 percent a B or a B–?
It depends on the school. With plain letters it is a B. With plus/minus grades the 80–82% range is a B–.
5. Is an 80 percent passing?
Yes. The usual passing mark is 60%, and 80% is well above it.
6. What is 80 percent as a fraction?
80% = 80/100 = 4/5. That equals 8/10, 16/20, 20/25 and 40/50.
7. What is 80 percent out of 20?
Multiply by 0.2: 80 × 0.2 = 16/20.
8. What is an 80 percent on a 4.0 scale?
On a 4.0 scale, 80% is a 2.7 (B–) or a 3.0 (B).
9. What grade is a 79.5 percent?
If your school rounds to the nearest whole number, 79.5% becomes 80% (B or B–). If not, it is a C+ (77–79%).
10. How much do I need on the final to raise an 80 to an 83?
It depends on the final’s weight. If the final is worth 25%, you need about a 92%. Use the formula above with your own weight.
Conclusion
80 percent is a B on the basic scale, a B– with plus/minus and about a 2.7 GPA. It is a solid, passing grade, but it sits at the bottom of the B range, so a small rounding rule or a stricter scale can change the letter. Check your school’s chart, find the cutoff above you and plan the points you need to move up.
Track your scores with the easy grade calculator, and see how to calculate grades in class to understand where you stand.
