Grading scale: letter grades, percentages and GPA
A grading scale sets the minimum percentage for each letter grade. Below are the two most widely used US versions: a simple 10-point A–F scale and a plus/minus scale with typical 4.0 GPA values. They are common examples, not an official standard. Your school, district or country may use different cutoffs.
Standard 10-point grading scale
| Letter grade | Percentage | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| A | 90–100% | 4.0 |
| B | 80–89% | 3.0 |
| C | 70–79% | 2.0 |
| D | 60–69% | 1.0 |
| F | Below 60% | 0.0 |
Plus/minus grading scale and GPA
| Letter grade | Percentage | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97–100% | 4.0 |
| A | 93–96% | 4.0 |
| A− | 90–92% | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87–89% | 3.3 |
| B | 83–86% | 3.0 |
| B− | 80–82% | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77–79% | 2.3 |
| C | 73–76% | 2.0 |
| C− | 70–72% | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67–69% | 1.3 |
| D | 63–66% | 1.0 |
| D− | 60–62% | 0.7 |
| F | Below 60% | 0.0 |
How to convert a percentage to a letter grade
- Work out the percentage: points earned ÷ points possible × 100. For example, 43 out of 50 = 86%.
- Find the highest letter whose minimum the exact percentage meets. 86% meets B (80%) but not A (90%), so it is a B (or a B on the plus/minus scale).
- Apply your rounding policy last, if you have one. GradeKind compares the unrounded percentage, so 89.99% stays a B.
You don't have to do this by hand. The Easy Grader lets you enter your own A/B/C/D thresholds and save them on your device, and the printable grading charts show every score for totals from 5 to 100.
Weighted vs. unweighted GPA
To work out your own GPA from letter grades and credits, use the GPA calculator. The GPA values above are unweighted: every class counts on the same 4.0 scale. Many high schools add extra points for honors, AP or IB classes (for example, an A counts as 5.0), which produces a weighted GPA. Weighting rules differ a lot between schools, so use your school's published policy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common grading scale?
In the United States the most common scale is A = 90–100%, B = 80–89%, C = 70–79%, D = 60–69% and F = below 60%. Many schools add plus and minus grades within each band. Scales vary by school, district and country, so always check your own policy.
How do I convert a percentage to a letter grade?
Compare the exact percentage with your scale's minimum for each letter, starting from A. For example, 86% is a B on a 10-point scale and a B on the plus/minus scale above. Compare before rounding: 89.6% is a B unless your policy rounds up.
What GPA is a B+?
On the common unweighted 4.0 scale, a B+ is usually 3.3, a B is 3.0 and a B− is 2.7. Some schools use slightly different values, and A+ is often capped at 4.0.
Is 70% a passing grade?
On the common scale, 70% is a C, and 60% is the lowest passing grade (D). Some schools and courses require a C (70%) or higher to pass, so check your policy.