Percentage to Letter Grade Calculator: US, UK, ECTS, and Australian
Enter your score and the calculator shows your letter grade across four grading systems at once: US letters (A–F with +/–), UK degree classes (First, 2:1, 2:2, Third), the European ECTS scale (A–E, FX, F), and Australian university grades (HD, D, CR, P, NN).
Not just for percentages. If your score is already expressed as a GPA, the GPA to letter grade calculator converts it proportionally across all four schemes. 17 out of 20, 8.5 out of 10, or 340 out of 400 all work. The calculator normalises any input to a 0–100% equivalent before finding your letter grade to GPA
If your course uses assignment weights, the weighted grade calculator helps find your final percentage before converting it to a letter grade
US Grading Scale: Complete Threshold Reference
The default thresholds built into the calculator follow the common US plus/minus system:
| Percentage | Letter Grade | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 97–100% | A+ | Exceptional |
| 93–96% | A | Excellent |
| 90–92% | A– | Strong |
| 87–89% | B+ | Above average |
| 83–86% | B | Good |
| 80–82% | B– | Slightly above average |
| 77–79% | C+ | Average |
| 73–76% | C | Satisfactory |
| 70–72% | C– | Below average |
| 67–69% | D+ | Poor |
| 63–66% | D | Barely passing |
| 60–62% | D– | Minimum pass |
| Below 60% | F | Failing |
These match the grading scale most US high schools and universities use, though specific thresholds vary by institution. The calculator lets you edit any threshold to match your school’s policy.
Why the Same Percentage Means Something Different in Each Country
This is what no single-country tool shows you: a 78% score does not represent the same achievement everywhere.
On the default settings, 78% converts to:
- US: C+ (meets the 77% threshold)
- UK: 2:1 (meets the 60% threshold, well inside First-class territory’s second tier)
- ECTS: C (meets the 70% threshold)
- Australia: CR Credit (meets the 65% threshold)
The US system distributes letter grades roughly every 3–4 percentage points. The UK system uses wide bands with just five categories covering 0–100%. The ECTS system uses grade bands every 10 percentage points. Australian universities use five categories with their own cutoffs that do not match any of the others.
When you are applying across countries or sending a transcript abroad, seeing all four simultaneously tells you how your grade lands in each context, not just one.
UK, ECTS, and Australian Grading Systems: What Each Letter Means
United Kingdom Degree Classes: UK undergraduate degrees use four classes plus a fail. First class honours (70%+) is the highest. Upper second (2:1, 60–69%) is the most common for strong students. Lower second (2:2, 50–59%) is a passing degree. Third class (40–49%) passes, but is the lowest awarded. Below 40% is a fail. Note that specific UK universities may apply slightly different thresholds.
ECTS European Credit Transfer System: Used across European universities, ECTS grades run A (90%+, top 10%), B (80–89%), C (70–79%), D (60–69%), E (50–59%), FX (40–49%, fail with resit option), F (below 40%, fail requiring full retake). ECTS grades are intended to be relative, but many institutions apply fixed percentage thresholds, as shown here.
Australian University Grades: What is a distinction in Australia? High Distinction (HD, 85%+) is the top grade. Distinction (D, 75–84%), Credit (CR, 65–74%), Pass (P, 50–64%), and Fail/NN (below 50%). Note that the HD threshold varies by university; some require 80%, others 85%.
Entering a Score on a Non-100 Scale
Most grade calculators only accept percentages. This one accepts any grade on any scale.
Enter your numeric score in the “Grade” field and the maximum possible score in the “Scale” field. The calculator divides the grade by the scale, multiplies it by 100, and maps the resulting percentage to each letter grade.
Examples:
- French grading: 17 out of 20 → 85% → B (US), First (UK), B (ECTS), D (AUS)
- European 10-point: 8.5 out of 10 → 85% → same results
- Marks out of 400: 340 out of 400 → 85% → same results
- US 20-point quiz: 16 out of 20 → 80% → B– (US), 2:1 (UK), B (ECTS), D (AUS)
This normalisation means the calculator works for any grading system that uses a maximum value, including systems where 20 is the top grade rather than 100.
Why Thresholds Vary: and How to Adjust Them
The A=93%, B=83% defaults are common in the US, but far from universal. Some institutions use:
- Strict scale: A requires 95%, A requires 90%
- Round scale: A starts at 90% (no A distinction)
- Lenient scale: 85% qualifies as an A at some community colleges
The calculator includes a threshold editor. Click “Edit thresholds,” and each grade boundary becomes adjustable. Change B+ from 87% to 85%, or move the A cutoff from 93% to 90% the result updates immediately.
Teachers setting up a new grading policy and students at non-standard institutions will find this the most useful feature. The tool’s default reflects a widely used convention, but it is a starting point, not a rule.
FAQ: Percentage to Letter Grade
What letter grade is 88%?
On the default US plus/minscaleale (87–89% = B+), 88% is a B+. On the simpler A/B/C scale some schools use (80–89% = B), 88% would be a straight B. The UK equivalent is First class (≥70%). ECTS: B (≥80%). Australian: D Distinction (≥75%).
What is 85% as a letter grade?
On the default US scale, 85% falls in the B range (83–86%), making it a B. On a simplified 10-point scale (80–89% = B), it’s still a B. UK: First class (70%+). ECTS: B (80–89%). Australian: D Distinction (75–84%).
What is 90% as a letter grade?
On the default US plus/minus scale, 90% = A– (the A– range is 90–92%). On a simplified scale without plus/minus, 90% would be a straight A. UK: First class. ECTS: A (90%+). Australian: HD High Distinction (85%+).
What is 75% as a letter grade?
On the default US scale, 75% falls in the C range (73–76%), giving a C. UK: 2:1 (60–69%). ECTS: C (70–79%). Australian: CR Credit (65–74%).
What is 70% as a letter grade?
On the default US scale, 70% falls in the C– range (70–72%), so 70% = C–. UK: 2:1 (first band above Third class). ECTS: C (meets 70% threshold). Australian: CR (meets 65% threshold).
What percentage is a B+?
On the most widely used US plus/minus scale, B+ corresponds to at least 87% and up to 89.9%. Some schools start B+ at 85% or 88%, depending on their policy. Use the threshold editor to match your school’s exact cutoff.
What percentage is an A?
An A (not A+, not A–) typically requires 93% or above on the common US plus/minus scale. On a simplified 10-point scale, any score from 90–100% is an A. Check your institution’s syllabus; some set the A threshold at 90%, 93%, or even 95%.
Can I use this for a European score out of 20?
Yes. Enter your score in “Grade” and 20 in “Scale.” The calculator converts it to a percentage before finding your letter. A 16/20 = 80% = B– US, 2:1 UK, B ECTS, D Australian.
Enter your percentage or grade/scale pair, choose a primary scheme, and the calculator shows all four letter grade systems at once. For the next step, convert your letter grade to a GPA using the percentage-to-GPA calculator.