ACT Percentile Calculator (2025-26)

Estimate your ACT percentile by score, view quick tables, and learn what counts as a ‘good’ percentile-free & instant

ACT Percentile Calculator (2025–26)

See your estimated national percentile for the ACT (1–36). These are concordance-style estimates based on a normal score distribution your official percentiles come from ACT, Inc. on your score report.

How this calculator estimates your percentile?

Distribution model
We model ACT composite scores on a normal curve typical of recent national cohorts (centered around ~20–21 with a standard deviation near ~5-6).
Bounded scale
Scores are capped to the official 1-36 scale; the tails are smoothed so percentiles near 1 and 36 behave sensibly.
Not official
Real percentiles vary by test date and cohort. Always use the percentiles shown on your official ACT Student Report when available.

See your estimated national percentile for the ACT (1–36). These are concordance-style estimates based on a normal score distribution your official percentiles come from ACT, Inc. on your score report.

How this calculator estimates your percentile?

Distribution model
We model ACT composite scores on a normal curve typical of recent national cohorts (centered around ~20–21 with a standard deviation near ~5-6).
Bounded scale
Scores are capped to the official 1-36 scale; the tails are smoothed so percentiles near 1 and 36 behave sensibly.
Not official
Real percentiles vary by test date and cohort. Always use the percentiles shown on your official ACT Student Report when available.

What counts as a “good” ACT percentile?

90th+ percentile (≈ 34–36)
Outstanding. Competitive for the most selective programs (with strong coursework and activities).

75th percentile (≈ mid-20s)
Strong. Competitive for many selective institutions.
50th percentile (≈ 20–21)
Typical national performance.
25th percentile (≈ mid-teens)
Below national median; many students improve from here with focused practice.

90th+ percentile (≈ 34–36)
Outstanding. Competitive for the most selective programs (with strong coursework and activities).

75th percentile (≈ mid-20s)
Strong. Competitive for many selective institutions.
50th percentile (≈ 20–21)
Typical national performance.
25th percentile (≈ mid-teens)
Below national median; many students improve from here with focused practice.

ACT Percentile Quick Tables (Estimates, 2025–26)

Fast reference while you use the calculator. Tables are approximate; always verify with your official ACT Student Report.

ACT score → percentile estimate

ACT	Percentile*
36	99+
35	99
34	99–98
33	98
32	96
31	95
30	93
29	91
28	89
27	86
26	83
25	79
24	74
23	70
22	65
21	59
20	54
19	48
18	43
17	38
16	33
15	27
14	23
13	18
12	14
11	9
10	6
9	4
8	3
7	2
6	~1
1–5	<1

*Estimates based on an ACT-like national distribution.

Percentile → ACT score about

Percentile	ACT (about)
99th	34–36
95th	31–32
90th	29–30
75th	24–25
50th	20–21
25th	16–17
10th	13–14

Ranges are approximate; percentiles vary by cohort and test date.

Check out SAT↔ACT Score Converter

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