The standard 4.0 GPA scale
Most US high schools and colleges use a 4.0 scale with plus and minus grades. The percentage ranges below are the most common ones, but your school’s cutoffs may differ by a point or two.
| Letter grade | Percentage | 4.0 scale | 4.3 scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97–100% | 4.0 | 4.3 |
| A | 93–96% | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| A− | 90–92% | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87–89% | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| B | 83–86% | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| B− | 80–82% | 2.7 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77–79% | 2.3 | 2.3 |
| C | 73–76% | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| C− | 70–72% | 1.7 | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67–69% | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| D | 63–66% | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| D− | 60–62% | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| F | Below 60% | 0.0 | 0.0 |
GPA to letter grade
To read a GPA as a letter-grade average, find the nearest grade point value on the 4.0 scale:
| GPA | Letter-grade average |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | A |
| 3.7 | A− |
| 3.5 | Between A− and B+ |
| 3.3 | B+ |
| 3.2 | Between B and B+ |
| 3.0 | B |
| 2.7 | B− |
| 2.5 | Between B− and C+ |
| 2.3 | C+ |
| 2.0 | C |
| 1.7 | C− |
| 1.0 | D |
How the percentage ranges work
Each letter covers a 10-point band (A = 90–100, B = 80–89 and so on). Within a band, the bottom three points are a minus, the middle four are the plain letter, and the top three are a plus. A+ starts at 97%. Below 60% is an F, with no plus or minus.
Percentage to GPA lookup (every percentage)
Find your exact percentage below. It uses the common scale above, so an 86% is a B (3.0) and a 93% is an A (4.0).
| Percentage | Letter grade | GPA (4.0 scale) |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | A+ | 4.0 |
| 99% | A+ | 4.0 |
| 98% | A+ | 4.0 |
| 97% | A+ | 4.0 |
| 96% | A | 4.0 |
| 95% | A | 4.0 |
| 94% | A | 4.0 |
| 93% | A | 4.0 |
| 92% | A− | 3.7 |
| 91% | A− | 3.7 |
| 90% | A− | 3.7 |
| 89% | B+ | 3.3 |
| 88% | B+ | 3.3 |
| 87% | B+ | 3.3 |
| 86% | B | 3.0 |
| 85% | B | 3.0 |
| 84% | B | 3.0 |
| 83% | B | 3.0 |
| 82% | B− | 2.7 |
| 81% | B− | 2.7 |
| 80% | B− | 2.7 |
| 79% | C+ | 2.3 |
| 78% | C+ | 2.3 |
| 77% | C+ | 2.3 |
| 76% | C | 2.0 |
| 75% | C | 2.0 |
| 74% | C | 2.0 |
| 73% | C | 2.0 |
| 72% | C− | 1.7 |
| 71% | C− | 1.7 |
| 70% | C− | 1.7 |
| 69% | D+ | 1.3 |
| 68% | D+ | 1.3 |
| 67% | D+ | 1.3 |
| 66% | D | 1.0 |
| 65% | D | 1.0 |
| 64% | D | 1.0 |
| 63% | D | 1.0 |
| 62% | D− | 0.7 |
| 61% | D− | 0.7 |
| 60% | D− | 0.7 |
| Below 60% | F | 0.0 |
The 4.3 scale
Some colleges reward an A+ with 4.3 instead of 4.0. Everything else stays the same. If your school uses it, choose the 4.3 scale in any GradeHelm calculator. For the highest GPA each scale allows, see what is the highest GPA you can get?
Weighted 5.0 scale
High schools that weight GPA often add 1.0 for AP/IB classes (and 0.5 for Honors), so an A in an AP class counts as 5.0. Learn more in weighted vs unweighted GPA.
Scales without plus and minus
Some schools use only A, B, C, D and F: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0. Turn off “plus/minus grades” in the calculator’s scale settings to match.
Outside the US
GPA isn’t universal. Many universities in Australia use a 7-point GPA scale. Canadian schools vary by province and institution (some use 4.0 or 4.33 scales, others report percentages), and UK universities usually report degree classifications rather than a GPA. If you’re converting for an application, follow the receiving institution’s own conversion rules. For CGPA on 10-point and other scales, see what is CGPA?.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA is an 85%?
On the common scale above, 85% is a B, which is 3.0 grade points. To convert several classes at once, use the percentage to GPA calculator.
What GPA is a 90%?
90% is an A− (3.7) on scales with plus and minus grades, or an A (4.0) at schools that don’t use plus/minus.
What GPA is an 80%?
On the common scale above, 80% is a B−, which is 2.7 grade points. At a school without plus and minus grades, it’s a B (3.0).
Is a 93 a 4.0?
Usually, yes. On the common scale, 93–96% is an A, worth 4.0. A 97% or higher is an A+, which is also 4.0 on a 4.0 scale but 4.3 on a 4.3 scale.
What GPA is an A−?
An A− is 3.7 on most 4.0 scales. Some colleges use 3.67 instead.
What percentage is a 2.0 GPA?
A 2.0 is a C average, which is 73–76% on the common scale. Your school’s cutoffs may differ by a few points.
What is a 3.0 GPA in letter grades?
A 3.0 GPA is a B average.
What GPA is a B?
A B is 3.0 grade points. A B+ is 3.3 and a B− is 2.7 on scales with plus and minus grades.
What letter grade is a 3.2 GPA?
A 3.2 GPA is a B average, just under a B+ (3.3). Because a GPA averages grade points, many different mixes of grades can produce a 3.2.
What is a 5.0 GPA?
A 5.0 is usually the top of a weighted high school scale: straight As in AP or IB classes, where each A earns 4.0 plus a 1.0 bonus. See weighted vs unweighted GPA.
Can I use my school’s own cutoffs?
Yes. In any GradeHelm calculator, open the scale settings and change the A, B, C and D cutoffs. The plus/minus ranges adjust automatically.
Sources
These official pages back up the scales described above (checked 30 October 2026):
- QUT: grading and the 7-point GPA
- Prospects: understanding university grades in the UK
- Simon Fraser University: grading systems (4.33 scale)
- University of California: how UC calculates GPA