Percentage of Marks Calculator

Calculating your percentage

Percentage = marks obtained ÷ maximum marks × 100. Scoring 432 out of 500 gives 432 ÷ 500 × 100 = 86.4%.

When subjects carry different maximum marks, add all marks obtained and divide by the total of the maximums. Do not average the individual subject percentages unless every subject has the same maximum, or the result will be skewed.

Board and university rules

Many boards and universities calculate an aggregate from a specific set of subjects. CBSE, for example, has commonly used the best five subjects for overall percentage, while university admissions may use only the main subjects or include practicals. Always check the rule used by the institution receiving your marks.

Converting a CGPA to a percentage is a separate calculation that depends on the institution's formula; CBSE has historically used CGPA × 9.5 for its grading system, but universities each publish their own conversion.

Example with different maximums

Suppose you scored 78 out of 100 in Maths, 85 out of 100 in Science and 40 out of 50 in a practical. Total obtained = 203, total maximum = 250, so the percentage is 81.2%. Averaging the three subject percentages (78%, 85%, 80%) would give 81%, slightly different because the practical carries less weight.