US Grading System: GPA Scale and Letter Grades
The US 4.0 GPA scale, letter grade conversions, credit-hour weighting, and academic standing thresholds — in one reference.
The US grading system
The United States does not have a single national grading standard — each university sets its own policies — but the 4.0 GPA scale with letter grades is effectively universal across undergraduate and graduate education.
| Letter Grade | Percentage | Grade Points (4.0) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A / A+ | 93–100% | 4.0 | Excellent |
| A− | 90–92% | 3.7 | Excellent |
| B+ | 87–89% | 3.3 | Above average |
| B | 83–86% | 3.0 | Above average |
| B− | 80–82% | 2.7 | Above average |
| C+ | 77–79% | 2.3 | Average |
| C | 73–76% | 2.0 | Average |
| C− | 70–72% | 1.7 | Below average |
| D | 60–69% | 1.0 | Passing |
| F | 0–59% | 0.0 | Failing |
Credit hours and weighted averages
US GPA is credit-hour-weighted. A 4-credit lecture contributes twice as much to your GPA as a 2-credit lab. This means not all courses affect your average equally — use the GPA Calculator to see the exact impact of each course.
Academic standing thresholds
Most institutions define academic standing as follows: Dean's List typically requires 3.5–3.7+ for the term; Good Standing requires a cumulative GPA at or above 2.0; Academic Probation is triggered when the cumulative GPA falls below 2.0; Academic Dismissal follows if probation conditions are not met.
Converting a foreign GPA to the US 4.0 scale
If you studied outside the US and need to present your grades on a 4.0 scale (for graduate school applications, credential evaluations, or employment), the Global GPA Converter supports direct conversion from 30+ national scales including the UK, India, Pakistan, Germany, Australia and more.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA scale do US universities use?
The overwhelming majority use the 4.0 scale: A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0. Many also use plus/minus grades (A−=3.7, B+=3.3, etc.). A small number of schools use a 4.3 scale where an A+ earns 4.3.
What is the difference between a semester GPA and a cumulative GPA?
Semester GPA covers only the courses in one term. Cumulative GPA (CGPA) averages across every term you have completed. Transcripts typically show both. Employers and graduate schools almost always evaluate cumulative GPA.
Do US universities count AP and IB courses in the college GPA?
No. AP and IB courses affect your high-school weighted GPA, but once you arrive at university your transcript starts fresh. AP/IB exams can earn college credit (bypassing introductory courses), but they do not add grade points to your college GPA.
What GPA is required to graduate from a US university?
The minimum is almost universally 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (a C average). Individual programs (engineering, nursing, education) typically require 2.5–3.0. Graduate and professional programs generally require 3.0 to maintain good standing.
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