GPA Scale — 4.0, Weighted & Letter Grade Equivalents
The complete reference for converting letter grades, percentages, and GPA points across standard and weighted scales.
The standard US GPA scale runs from 0.0 to 4.0. A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0.0. Minus grades subtract 0.3 (A− = 3.7) and plus grades add 0.3 (B+ = 3.3). A weighted scale can exceed 4.0 for AP and Honors courses — up to 5.0.
The Standard 4.0 GPA Scale
The 4.0 scale is the most widely used GPA system in the United States. It assigns a numeric value to each letter grade, which is then used to calculate a weighted average based on course credits.
| Letter Grade | Percentage | 4.0 Scale | Honors (+0.5) | AP / IB (+1.0) | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97–100% | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | Excellent |
| A | 93–96% | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 | Excellent |
| A− | 90–92% | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.7 | Excellent |
| B+ | 87–89% | 3.3 | 3.8 | 4.3 | Good |
| B | 83–86% | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | Good |
| B− | 80–82% | 2.7 | 3.2 | 3.7 | Good |
| C+ | 77–79% | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 | Average |
| C | 73–76% | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 | Average |
| C− | 70–72% | 1.7 | 2.2 | 2.7 | Average |
| D+ | 67–69% | 1.3 | 1.8 | 2.3 | Below Avg |
| D | 63–66% | 1.0 | 1.5 | 2.0 | Below Avg |
| D− | 60–62% | 0.7 | 1.2 | 1.7 | Below Avg |
| F | 0–59% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | Failing |
How GPA Scale Varies by State and Institution
The 4.0 scale is standard, but several important variations exist:
- Plus/minus grading: Some schools don't use A+, A−, B+, etc. — only A, B, C, D, F. This can inflate or deflate GPAs depending on how grades cluster.
- Weighted scale maximums: Schools using a 5.0 scale (AP = 5.0, Honors = 4.5) vs. schools that cap at 4.0 weighted produce incomparable GPAs.
- College-specific recalculation: Most four-year colleges recalculate applicant GPAs using their own formula, often stripping weights and re-assigning points by their own rubric.
- International conversions: The U.S. 4.0 scale doesn't map directly to UK, Canadian, or European grading systems. Conversion services exist but involve approximation.
Key GPA Benchmarks
- 4.0 — Perfect unweighted GPA (all A's)
- 3.9+ — Summa Cum Laude at most universities
- 3.7+ — Magna Cum Laude; competitive for most graduate programs
- 3.5+ — Cum Laude; Dean's List eligibility at most schools
- 3.0 — Minimum for many graduate program applications
- 2.0 — Minimum to maintain good academic standing at most colleges
Use our GPA Calculator to calculate your exact GPA, or convert between GPA and letter grades instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 3.5 GPA as a letter grade?
A 3.5 GPA corresponds to a B+/A− average on the 4.0 scale — roughly equivalent to 90–92%. It sits between a B+ (3.3) and an A− (3.7) and qualifies for Dean's List at most US colleges.
What is a 3.0 GPA as a letter grade?
A 3.0 GPA is exactly a B average, equivalent to roughly 83–86%. It is considered good academic standing and meets the minimum GPA requirement for most graduate programs.
What is a 2.0 GPA as a letter grade?
A 2.0 GPA is a C average, equivalent to 73–76%. It is the typical minimum for maintaining good academic standing at most colleges. Below a 2.0 risks academic probation.
Can a GPA exceed 4.0?
Yes — on a weighted scale. AP and IB courses add 1.0 bonus points; Honors courses add 0.5. A student with all A's in AP classes can have a 5.0 weighted GPA. Unweighted GPA is capped at 4.0.
What percentage is a 4.0 GPA?
A 4.0 GPA corresponds to an A or A+ — typically 93–100%. Some schools give A+ a separate value or simply equate it to 4.0 like a regular A. Either way, 4.0 is a perfect unweighted GPA.
What is the difference between A and A− on the GPA scale?
An A earns 4.0 GPA points; an A− earns 3.7 GPA points — a difference of 0.3 per course. In a semester of five 3-credit courses, the difference between all A's and all A−'s is exactly 0.3 GPA points (4.0 vs 3.7).