How does the scale convert a score?

Each score is compared against your cutoffs from highest to lowest. The first letter whose minimum the score meets or exceeds wins. Any score below the D cutoff becomes an F. This is the same threshold logic gradebooks use.

Can I make a strict or lenient scale?

Yes. Raise the cutoffs (e.g., A ≥ 93) for a strict scale or lower them (e.g., A ≥ 88) for a lenient one. The batch converter immediately shows how the same scores redistribute under your chosen thresholds.

Must cutoffs be in descending order?

Yes. A must be at least as high as B, B at least as high as C, and so on. The tool validates this and warns you if the cutoffs are out of order, since overlapping thresholds would make conversion ambiguous.

What does the distribution show?

It counts how many entered scores fall into each letter grade under your scale, giving you a quick view of the grade distribution — helpful for checking whether a rubric is too harsh or too generous before you apply it.

Does it handle plus and minus grades?

This builder uses whole letters (A, B, C, D, F) to keep the scale simple and clear. For plus/minus systems you can run two passes or use the cutoffs as the boundaries of your finer-grained bands.

Custom School Grading Scale Builder

Email me this result

Get this tool's output sent to your inbox, plus one useful tool a week. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Build and test a custom grading scale

Designing a fair grading rubric means picking cutoffs and then seeing how real scores land. This builder lets you define your own percentage-to-letter thresholds and instantly batch-convert a list of scores, with a distribution summary so you can tell at a glance whether your scale is too strict or too lenient before you commit to it.

How it works

You set a minimum percentage for each letter. Every score is checked against the cutoffs from highest to lowest, and the first one it meets wins:

if score >= cutoffA  -> A
else if score >= cutoffB -> B
else if score >= cutoffC -> C
else if score >= cutoffD -> D
else -> F

Cutoffs must descend (A ≥ B ≥ C ≥ D); the tool warns you otherwise. The distribution then tallies how many scores fall into each grade.

Tips and notes

Start from a familiar scale (90/80/70/60) and nudge cutoffs to see the effect on the distribution.
A heavily F-skewed distribution under reasonable cutoffs usually signals an assessment that was too hard, not students who underperformed.
Keep your cutoffs documented in the syllabus so the scale you build here matches what students are told.