Pass or Fail Calculator
Enter your score percentage and the passing threshold for your course or exam. The calculator tells you instantly whether you passed or failed — and by exactly how many points.
Last updated June 2026
Your percentage score (0–100).
Minimum % needed to pass (often 60 or 70).
How Pass or Fail Is Determined
Whether you pass or fail an assessment comes down to a single comparison: is your score at or above the passing threshold set by your instructor or institution? This calculator does that comparison instantly and tells you the margin — how many percentage points separate you from the cutoff in either direction.
The Formula
Pass: score ≥ passMark
Margin = score − passMark (positive = above; negative = below)
Worked Examples
| Score | Pass mark | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72% | 60% | PASS | +12 points |
| 55% | 60% | FAIL | −5 points |
| 60% | 60% | PASS | 0 (exact) |
| 85% | 70% | PASS | +15 points |
Common Passing Thresholds
The passing cutoff varies by context. Here are the most widely used benchmarks:
- 60% — standard US high school and college minimum (D grade)
- 70% — many college programmes require a C or better to earn credit
- 75–80% — nursing, education, and professional licensing programmes
- 50% — common in some UK and international grading systems
Always check your course syllabus for the exact cutoff — instructors can set their own passing threshold independent of the institutional default.
Also see: Final Grade Calculator to find what score you need on an upcoming exam to hit a target grade, and Percentage to Letter Grade Converter to see what letter grade your score corresponds to.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'pass or fail' mean on a grading scale?
In a pass/fail (also called pass/no pass or credit/no credit) system, you either pass the course and earn credit or fail and receive none. No letter grade or GPA impact is recorded for pass/fail courses at most institutions — you simply need to score at or above the passing threshold set by your instructor or school.
What is the typical passing score in high school and college?
The most common passing threshold in US high schools and colleges is 60% (a D or above), though many instructors and programmes set the bar at 70% (C) for a satisfactory pass. Graduate and professional programmes often require 70%, 75%, or even 80% to pass. Always check your course syllabus for the exact threshold.
Does a passing grade affect my GPA?
For traditional letter-graded courses, yes — every grade from A to F affects your GPA. For courses taken pass/fail, most institutions exclude the result from GPA calculation entirely (a P or CR is recorded but not factored in). If you fail a pass/fail course, some schools record an F that does affect GPA; others record an NC (no credit) with no GPA impact. Check your registrar's policy.
How do I calculate how many points I need to pass?
If your grade is tracked in raw points, convert the passing threshold to points: required points = passMark% × total points possible ÷ 100. For example, if the threshold is 60% on a 150-point test, you need 60 × 150 ÷ 100 = 90 points. Enter your actual score percentage and the passing percentage in this calculator for an instant verdict.
What happens if I score exactly on the passing threshold?
A score exactly equal to the passing threshold is typically counted as a pass. For example, if the passing mark is 60%, a score of 60% passes. This calculator treats an exact tie as a pass ('margin = 0 points above the threshold'). Some instructors round to the nearest whole number before comparing — clarify with your instructor if you're on the boundary.