How to Calculate Percentage of Marks

Marks percentage is one of the simplest academic calculations, but it is easy to make mistakes when exams have different totals. The basic formula is scored marks divided by total marks, multiplied by 100.

Marks percentage formula

The formula is Percentage = (Marks obtained / Total marks) x 100. If you scored 420 out of 500, your percentage is 420 / 500 x 100 = 84 percent.

Always use the total possible marks for the same set of subjects. Do not divide by the number of subjects unless each subject has the same maximum marks and you are calculating an average first.

• Marks obtained: your actual score.
• Total marks: maximum possible marks.
• Percentage: score expressed out of 100.

Example with different subject totals

Suppose you scored 72 out of 100 in math, 65 out of 80 in science, and 44 out of 50 in English. Your total scored marks are 181 and total possible marks are 230.

The correct percentage is 181 / 230 x 100 = 78.7 percent. Averaging subject percentages can give a different result because the subjects have different weights.

Percentage vs percentile

Percentage shows your own score out of the maximum possible score. Percentile compares your score with other students.

For example, 85 percent means you earned 85 out of 100 marks. The 85th percentile means you scored higher than 85 percent of test takers.

Step-by-step summary

1. Add all marks you obtained.
2. Add the maximum possible marks for those same subjects.
3. Divide obtained marks by total marks.
4. Multiply the result by 100.
5. Round according to your school or exam board rules.

Frequently asked questions