GPA Scale – Letter Grade to GPA Conversion
The 4.0 GPA scale is the standard used by most US colleges and universities to convert letter grades into a single number representing academic performance.
Standard 4.0 GPA scale
This is the conversion table used by most US colleges. Enter these values into any GPA calculator to get a credit-weighted result.
| Letter Grade | GPA Points | Percentage Range | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ / A | 4.0 | 93 – 100% | Excellent |
| A− | 3.7 | 90 – 92% | Excellent |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87 – 89% | Good |
| B | 3.0 | 83 – 86% | Good |
| B− | 2.7 | 80 – 82% | Good |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77 – 79% | Average |
| C | 2.0 | 73 – 76% | Average |
| C− | 1.7 | 70 – 72% | Average |
| D+ | 1.3 | 67 – 69% | Below average |
| D | 1.0 | 63 – 66% | Below average |
| D− | 0.7 | 60 – 62% | Below average |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% | Failing |
Percentage cutoffs vary by institution. The values above reflect common practice. Always verify with your school’s official grading policy.
Weighted high school GPA scale (5.0)
Many high schools use a weighted GPA scale that awards bonus points for AP, IB, and honors courses. The most common system adds 1.0 for AP/IB and 0.5 for honors:
| Letter Grade | Regular | Honors (+0.5) | AP / IB (+1.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| B | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| C | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| D | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 |
Weighted GPA can exceed 4.0, which is why a student may report a 4.3 or 4.5 weighted GPA. Colleges typically recalculate your GPA on an unweighted basis when reviewing applications.
How GPA is calculated from the scale
To calculate your GPA, convert each letter grade to its point value, multiply by the credit hours for that course, sum all grade points, and divide by total credits. See the how to calculate GPA from letter grades guide for a step-by-step walkthrough.
FAQ
What is a 4.0 GPA?
A 4.0 GPA is the highest possible GPA on an unweighted 4.0 scale. It means you earned an A or A+ in every course. On a weighted scale used in high school, it is possible to exceed 4.0 by taking advanced courses.
What letter grade is a 3.0 GPA?
A 3.0 GPA corresponds to a B average. It means your average letter grade across all courses is a B (not B+ or B−, but squarely in the middle).
Do all colleges use the same GPA scale?
No. Most US colleges use a standard 4.0 scale, but the treatment of A+ varies. Some schools count A+ as 4.0 (same as A), while others count it as 4.3. Plus/minus grading also varies — some schools only use whole-letter grades.
What is the difference between a 4.0 and 5.0 GPA scale?
A 4.0 scale is the standard college scale where A = 4.0. A 5.0 scale is used by some high schools for weighted GPA, where AP and IB courses are graded on a 5.0 cap, allowing students to exceed 4.0.
How do I convert my percentage grade to GPA?
Use the conversion table in this guide. A percentage in the 93–100% range typically corresponds to an A (4.0), 90–92% to an A− (3.7), 87–89% to a B+ (3.3), and so on. The exact cutoffs depend on your instructor's grading scale.
GPA scales vary by institution. Always confirm the exact scale with your school’s registrar or grading policy.