The US Grading System: GPA, Letter Grades, and the 4.0 Scale
If you're used to percentages or the UK grading scale, the American system can feel like learning a new language. Here's how it actually works — from a single quiz to your cumulative GPA.
Letter grades at a glance
US schools assign letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) either as pure letter grades or with plus/minus modifiers (A+, A−, B+, etc.). Each letter grade maps to grade points on a 0–4 scale, which feeds into your GPA.
| Letter grade | Grade points (4.0 scale) | Typical percentage range |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | 97–100% |
| A | 4.0 | 93–96% |
| A− | 3.67 | 90–92% |
| B+ | 3.33 | 87–89% |
| B | 3.0 | 83–86% |
| B− | 2.67 | 80–82% |
| C+ | 2.33 | 77–79% |
| C | 2.0 | 73–76% |
| C− | 1.67 | 70–72% |
| D+ | 1.33 | 67–69% |
| D | 1.0 | 63–66% |
| D− | 0.67 | 60–62% |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% |
Not every school awards every plus/minus grade. Some colleges don't give D− or D+; others don't use plus/minus at all. Check your academic catalog for the exact scale your institution uses.
What is GPA?
GPA (Grade Point Average) is a single number that summarises your overall academic performance. It's calculated by multiplying each course's grade points by its credit hours, summing those products, and dividing by your total credit hours:
GPA = Σ(grade points × credit hours) ÷ Σ(credit hours)
The result is a number between 0.0 and 4.0 (or higher if weighted — see below). A 4.0 is a perfect average; a 0.0 means you've failed every class.
Weighted vs unweighted GPA
Unweighted GPA converts letter grades directly to the 4.0 scale. Every A is 4.0, every B is 3.0, regardless of the class difficulty.
Weighted GPA gives extra points for more demanding courses — honours, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual-enrollment classes. An A in an AP class might count as 5.0 on a 5.0 scale. Many US high schools use weighted GPA to reward students who take challenging courses.
When you apply to college, admissions officers typically recalculate your GPA on an unweighted 4.0 scale to compare applicants fairly. If your school uses weighted grades, they'll often consider both the weighted and unweighted numbers alongside the difficulty of your coursework.
Semester GPA vs cumulative GPA
Semester GPA covers just one term's worth of courses. Cumulative GPA is your GPA across every course you've taken at your institution — the number that appears on your official transcript.
Colleges and scholarship committees usually care most about your cumulative GPA. If you're applying to graduate school, your major GPA (courses in your field of study) may also be calculated separately.
How grades affect your academic standing
US colleges set minimum GPA requirements — typically a 2.0 (C average) to remain in good standing. Falling below that threshold puts you on academic probation, and below a 1.0 or sustained poor performance can lead to suspension.
Dean's List recognition usually requires a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher. Graduating with honours (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude) requires a cumulative GPA typically in the top 10–20% of your graduating class.
How the US system compares to other countries
The US 4.0 scale is one of several grading systems used globally. The UK uses a percentage system for GCSE and a classified degree system (first, 2:1, 2:2, third) for university. Australia uses a 7-point scale with High Distinction down to Fail. When applying to US schools from another country, credential evaluation services like WES convert your grades to the US GPA scale.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 4.0 GPA scale?+
The 4.0 scale is the standard grade point average system used by most US colleges and universities. An A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, and F = 0. Most schools use plus/minus grading (A− = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, etc.), which adds nuance within each letter grade.
What is a passing grade in the US?+
A passing grade is typically a D or higher (1.0 GPA), but the minimum required grade depends on the context. Colleges usually require a C (2.0) or better in major courses. High schools often require a D (1.0) minimum to earn course credits. An F is failing in all cases.
What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?+
Unweighted GPA converts letter grades straight to the 4.0 scale. Weighted GPA (used by many high schools) adds extra points for honours, AP, IB, or college-level classes — an A in an AP class might count as 5.0 instead of 4.0. Most colleges unweight GPAs during admissions evaluation for fairness.
Do all US colleges use the same grading scale?+
Most US colleges use the 4.0 scale, but the policies around plus/minus grades, D grades, and repeated courses vary. Some schools don't award D− or D+; others don't use plus/minus at all. Graduate schools, professional programs, and some universities use their own grading policies.
How do US schools handle plus/minus grades?+
Most US colleges and universities use plus/minus grading. The most common variant is a 4.0 scale with third-point steps (A− = 3.67, B+ = 3.33, B− = 2.67). Some schools use 4.0 with half-point steps (A/B = 4.0/3.0, A−/B+ = 3.5/2.5). Check your school's academic catalog for the exact scale.
Is a C a bad grade in the US?+
A C (2.0) is technically a passing grade, but it's below the typical standard for competitive programmes. Most graduate schools, honour programs, and scholarships look for a B (3.0) or higher. In the job market, a C average won't disqualify you but won't stand out either.