SAT to ACT Score Converter
Convert an SAT total score to the equivalent ACT composite, convert an ACT score to the SAT, or enter both to see which one is stronger. Results use the official ACT/SAT concordance and show approximate national percentiles.
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How to use the SAT to ACT Score Converter
- Choose a direction: SAT → ACT, ACT → SAT, or compare both scores.
- Enter your SAT total (400–1600, in steps of 10) and/or your ACT composite (1–36).
- Press Convert score to see the equivalent score and percentiles.
- Check the concordance table to see the full SAT range for each ACT score.
How SAT and ACT concordance works
The SAT (scored 400–1600) and the ACT (composite 1–36) measure similar skills on different scales. A concordance links them by finding scores that represent the same percentile rank in a group of students who took both tests. The current official tables were released jointly by College Board and ACT in 2018 and are what colleges use to compare applicants.
- SAT → ACT: find the SAT band that contains your total and read the matching ACT composite.
- ACT → SAT: use the single SAT score listed for your composite.
- Concordance compares the overall level, not identical skills. Section scores (SAT Math vs. ACT Math, for example) are not interchangeable.
Quick reference
| SAT total | ACT composite | SAT total | ACT composite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1570–1600 | 36 | 1160–1190 | 24 |
| 1490–1520 | 34 | 1100–1120 | 22 |
| 1420–1440 | 32 | 1030–1050 | 20 |
| 1360–1380 | 30 | 960–980 | 18 |
| 1300–1320 | 28 | 880–910 | 16 |
| 1230–1250 | 26 | 780–820 | 14 |
The calculator's full table above lists every ACT composite from 9 to 36.
Choosing between the tests
- Almost all US colleges that require or accept test scores take either test with no preference.
- Take a full practice test of each. Convert both with the Compare mode to see which format suits you better.
- The digital SAT is shorter and adaptive, with a built-in graphing calculator for all of Math; the ACT moves faster per question. Pick the pace you are more comfortable with.
- If you superscore or retake, compare your best result from each test, not your first attempts.
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert an SAT score to an ACT score?
Use the official concordance table published jointly by College Board and ACT in 2018. Each ACT composite corresponds to a band of SAT totals; for example SAT 1300–1320 matches ACT 28 and SAT 1200–1220 matches ACT 25. Find the band that contains your SAT score and read off the ACT composite.
What is a 1400 SAT on the ACT?
An SAT of 1400 is in the 1390–1410 band, which concords with an ACT composite of 31. Going the other way, ACT 31 converts to an SAT of 1400.
Why does ACT to SAT give one number but SAT to ACT gives a range?
The SAT has many more possible totals (in steps of 10) than the ACT has composite scores, so several SAT scores map to each ACT score. For ACT → SAT the concordance gives a single representative SAT score for each ACT composite, such as ACT 30 → SAT 1370.
Is the concordance still valid for the digital SAT and the updated ACT?
The 2018 tables are still the official concordance. College Board designed the digital SAT to report on the same 400–1600 scale, and the ACT composite still runs from 1 to 36. Colleges use these tables to compare applicants who took different tests.
Should I send my SAT or my ACT score?
If a college accepts both with no preference, send the one that converts to the higher equivalent. Use the Compare mode: if your SAT converts to a higher ACT composite than the ACT you earned, the SAT is the stronger score, and vice versa. If they are equal, consider section scores or the college's own guidance.
Where do the percentiles come from?
They are rounded approximations of recent national percentile figures published by College Board and ACT, meaning the share of test takers scoring at or below a score. The exact values shift slightly every year, so treat them as a guide.
Can I convert an SAT score below 590?
The concordance table starts at SAT 590 (ACT 9). SAT totals from 400 to 580 have no listed ACT equivalent; they correspond to an ACT composite below 9.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.