How to Calculate Percentage of Marks

The marks percentage formula

Percentage = marks obtained / total marks x 100

Divide what you scored by the maximum marks, then multiply by 100. 432 out of 600 is 432 / 600 x 100 = 72%. 387 out of 500 is 77.4%.

Example: five subjects

Add up the marks first, then divide: 372 / 500 x 100 = 74.4%. In the calculator, use the card "X is what percent of Y? (marks percentage)": type 372 as the marks obtained and 500 as the total.

If subjects have different maximum marks, such as one paper out of 50, add the obtained marks together and the maximum marks together, then divide. Do not average the separate percentages; that gives a different, wrong answer.

Some boards and forms ask for the percentage of the best five subjects, or leave out an additional subject. That is a rule of the board or the form, not of the maths. Read the instructions and use only the subjects they ask for.

CBSE CGPA to percentage

Percentage = CGPA x 9.5
CGPA = percentage / 9.5

The 9.5 factor is the CBSE rule, and it is the one the calculator uses. Universities and other boards often have their own formula, which is usually printed on the marksheet or in the college rules. If yours is different, use theirs.

Percentage increase or decrease

% change = (new - old) / old x 100

• Marks went from 72 to 81: (81 - 72) / 72 x 100 = 12.5% up.
• Marks went from 81 to 72: (72 - 81) / 81 x 100 = 11.11% down.
• A salary from ₹40,000 to ₹46,000 is a 15% rise.
• A price from ₹1,200 to ₹900 is a 25% drop.

Notice that 72 to 81 and 81 to 72 do not give the same percentage. The change is always divided by the old value, and the old value is different each time.

Percent or percentage points?

If your result goes from 72% to 81%, it rose by 9 percentage points, the simple difference. It also rose by 12.5%, the change compared with where it started. Both are correct; they answer different questions. When a form or a news report says "up 9%", check which one it means.

Other percentage sums

The last row catches many people out. If a price already includes 18%, taking 18% off it does not give the old price, because the 18% was worked out on the lower price. Divide instead. The same rule is behind taking GST out of a bill.

Marks percentage, step by step

1. Check the maximum marks on your marksheet for each subject you need to count.
2. Add up the marks you got in those subjects. In the example above that is 372.
3. Add up the maximum marks of the same subjects. Here it is 500.
4. Divide the first total by the second: 372 / 500 = 0.744.
5. Multiply by 100: 74.4%. That is your percentage.

If you only have a CGPA, convert it first with the CBSE rule below, or with your own board's rule if it is different.

Rounding

The calculator shows results to two decimals. If a form asks for a whole number or one decimal, follow the form's own rounding rule. Do not round up to reach a cut-off: forms usually check your percentage against the marksheet.

Common questions

How do I calculate the percentage of marks out of 500? Divide your total by 500 and multiply by 100. 372 out of 500 is 74.4%.

How do I convert 76% to CGPA? For CBSE, divide by 9.5. 76 / 9.5 = 8.

Can I use negative numbers or commas? Yes. The calculator accepts decimals, minus signs and Indian grouping such as 1,00,000.