What is the GPA scale?
The standard US GPA scale runs from 0.0 to 4.0. An A is 4.0, a B is 3.0, a C is 2.0, a D is 1.0 and an F is 0.0, with plus and minus grades in between, such as A- at 3.7 and B+ at 3.3. Weighted scales add a point for AP or IB classes, so those GPAs can go above 4.0.
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In more detail
Each letter grade has a point value. Your GPA is the average of those points, weighted by credits. A 4-credit A (16 points) and a 2-credit C (4 points) give 20 points over 6 credits, which is a 3.33.
The 4.0 scale is unweighted, so every class counts the same. Many high schools also report a weighted GPA that adds points for honors, AP or IB classes, often 0.5 for honors and 1.0 for AP or IB. That is why you see GPAs of 4.5 or 5.0. The table shows the common version, and schools differ.
Not every school uses the same scale. Some give an A+ a 4.3, some skip plus and minus grades, and the percent range for each letter changes. Outside the US, scales often run the other way: in Germany 1.0 is the best grade and 4.0 the lowest pass. If your school publishes its own chart, use that one.
US GPA scale, unweighted and weighted (AP or IB, +1.0)
| Letter grade | Unweighted | Weighted (AP or IB) | Typical percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 5.0 | 93-100% |
| A- | 3.7 | 4.7 | 90-92% |
| B+ | 3.3 | 4.3 | 87-89% |
| B | 3.0 | 4.0 | 83-86% |
| B- | 2.7 | 3.7 | 80-82% |
| C+ | 2.3 | 3.3 | 77-79% |
| C | 2.0 | 3.0 | 73-76% |
| C- | 1.7 | 2.7 | 70-72% |
| D+ | 1.3 | 2.3 | 67-69% |
| D | 1.0 | 2.0 | 63-66% |
| D- | 0.7 | 1.7 | 60-62% |
| F | 0.0 | 0.0 | Below 60% |
Step by step
- 1
List every class with its letter grade and its credits.
- 2
Convert each letter to grade points with the table.
- 3
Multiply each class's points by its credits.
- 4
Add all the results, then divide by your total credits.
- 5
Round to two decimals. Example: an A in 4 credits and a C in 2 credits is 16 + 4 = 20 points over 6 credits, so 3.33.
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Sources
See also
- AnswerHow do you calculate your GPA?
- AnswerWhat is a good SAT score?
- AnswerWhat is a good ACT score?
- AnswerWhat is a good PSAT score?
- AnswerIs 1400 a good SAT score?
- AnswerSAT vs ACT: which test should you take?
- AnswerIs 20 a good ACT score?
- AnswerWeighted vs unweighted GPA: how do they differ?
- AnswerWhat is the average GPA?
- StudyPDFAI Practice Exams
More questions
What is a 4.0 GPA?
A 4.0 is straight A's on the unweighted scale: every class graded A, which is 93 to 100 percent at most schools. It is the highest GPA on the standard scale, though weighted scales can go above it.
What is the difference between a weighted and an unweighted GPA?
An unweighted GPA counts every class on the 0.0 to 4.0 scale, whatever its difficulty. A weighted GPA adds extra points for harder classes such as honors, AP or IB, usually 0.5 to 1.0, so it can reach 5.0. Both numbers can appear on the same transcript.
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