Learn percentages step by step

Learn percentages in 10 levels, from hundred grids to simple interest and word problems, with a 5-question test for each level.

Which level for which grade?

There are 10 levels, from hundred grids to interest, markup and word problems. Each level has short lessons and a 5-question test; get 4 right to pass. Progress is saved on this device, so your child can come back and carry on.

How to use the levels

1. Find the starting level. Take the tests from level 1 until your child scores under 4. That is the level to work on.
2. Learn it. Open the Learn links for that level: each lesson has pictures, a parent script and practice.
3. Practice for a few days. Use the tools on the lesson pages and the percent practice tool.
4. Retake the test. 4 out of 5 passes the level. Move on to the next one.

Level 2, percents and decimals, is the one to take slowly. Every later level turns percents into decimals to calculate.

Why the levels are in this order

Each level uses the one before it. Hundred grids (level 1) give percents their meaning, and converting to decimals and fractions (levels 2 and 3) makes them easy to calculate with.

Comparing (level 4) needs the conversions. Benchmark percents (level 5) give fast mental methods for finding a percent of a number (level 6) and for finding the percent or the whole (level 7).

Percent change (level 8) is the key to shopping problems (level 9), and the final level puts it all together in interest, markups and word problems. A child stuck at a high level usually has a gap lower down, very often level 2.

Tools that help with every level

The fraction, decimal and percent converter shows all three forms with a hundred grid, so it helps with levels 1 to 4. The percent calculator shows each step for percent of a number, finding the percent, the whole and percent change.

Real prices are the best model for levels 5 to 10, because children see discounts and tax every week. Confident decimal work matters throughout, so keep the decimal practice going alongside.

More percent practice

• Percentage quiz for grades 6 and 7.
• Percent practice by skill.
• Percent calculator with steps.
• Printable finding the percent worksheets.

For teachers

The levels work on a projector for a whole-class warm-up. Progress is saved only in each device’s browser, so no login or student data is needed. On shared computers, use Reset my progress at the end of the lesson.

Practice questions (answers below)

Ask these out loud or write them down. Check each answer, and ask “how did you get that?” for one or two.

1. Level 1: 42 of 100 squares
2. Level 2: 8% as a decimal
3. Level 3: 3/4 as a percent
4. Level 4: 0.6 or 58%?
5. Level 5: 25% of 60
6. Level 6: 150% of 40
7. Level 7: 12 is 30% of what?
8. Level 8: increase 40 by 25%
9. Level 9: 15% tip on $40
10. Level 10: $200 at 5% for 2 years

Common mistakes

How to teach it at home

Level chart

Print a chart of 10 boxes and colour one each time a level is passed.

Celebrate

A small reward at levels 5 and 10.

Use prices

Sale signs and receipts make any percent level easier.

By grade

• 6th grade percents
• 7th grade percents

More for each grade: Grade 6 math and the CBSE class 6 maths guide; Grade 7 math and the CBSE class 7 maths guide.

Worksheets and practice

Finding the percent worksheet: printable PDF with an answer key. · Make a fresh test

Percentage quiz