The US grading system is commonly based on letter grades such as A, B, C, D, and F. Schools and colleges may also use plus and minus grades, percentages, grade points, GPA, and alternative marks such as Pass (P), Satisfactory (S), or Credit (CR).
One important point is often overlooked: there is no single national grading scale used by every school and university in the United States. A score of 90%, for example, may be an A- at one institution and an A at another.
That is why the grading scale published by your school, district, college, or university should always be treated as the final authority.
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This guide explains the American grading system, common US grade ranges, the 4.0 GPA scale, percentage-to-letter conversions, passing grades, and examples from major US universities.
Quick Answer: What Is the US Grading System?
A commonly used US grading scale looks like this:
| Letter Grade | Percentage Range | 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 |
*The treatment of A+ varies. Some institutions assign A+ a value of 4.0, some use 4.3, and others do not use A+ at all.
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Important: This is a common example rather than an official nationwide US grading chart. Individual institutions can use different percentage cutoffs and GPA values.
For example, Cornell University’s published grading system assigns A+ = 4.3, while Princeton’s GPA calculation uses A+ = 4.0. UW–Madison does not use plus or minus signs in its standard university grading scale.
US Grade & GPA Calculator
Want to quickly convert your percentage into a US letter grade and estimated GPA? Use the calculator below. You can also calculate your GPA by entering your course grades and credit hours.
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Use the US Grade & GPA Calculator
How to Use the Calculator
The calculator has two functions:
- Grade Converter: Enter your percentage to see the corresponding letter grade and estimated GPA based on the common US grading scale above.
- GPA Calculator: Enter your courses, grades, and credit hours to calculate your estimated GPA.
For example, under the common scale used in this guide:
85% → B → 3.0 GPA
Important Note About Grade Conversion
The calculator provides a general estimate and should not be treated as an official university grading tool. The United States does not have one nationwide percentage-to-letter grading scale.
Your actual grade may be different depending on your school, college, university, course, or instructor. The treatment of A+ also varies between institutions.
If you need an official GPA for admission, transfer credit, graduation, scholarships, or academic standing, always check your institution’s official grading policy.
How Does the US Grading System Work
The US grading system is a method schools and universities use to measure a student’s academic performance.
Instead of reporting only a numerical score, many American schools convert scores into letter grades.
The traditional sequence is:
A → B → C → D → F
Generally:
- A represents excellent work.
- B represents good or above-average work.
- C represents average or satisfactory work.
- D represents low but often passing work.
- F represents failing work.
Many institutions further divide these grades using plus (+) and minus (-) designations.
For example:
B+ → B → B-
This allows a school to distinguish between different levels of performance within the same letter grade.
However, the exact percentage boundaries are determined by the individual institution, school, department, or course.
US Grading Scale: A to F
A Grade
An A generally represents excellent academic performance.
In a common percentage scale, an A may begin around 93%.
Typical GPA value:
4.0
For example:
- 93% = A
- 95% = A
- 96% = A
But some schools use 90% as the beginning of an A, while others may use a different cutoff.
Is 95% an A?
Under the common scale above, 95% is an A.
However, the exact grade depends on the grading policy used by the school or course.
A+ Grade
An A+ is generally the highest letter grade available on a plus/minus grading scale.
A common percentage range is:
97–100%
The GPA treatment is not standardized across the United States.
For example, Cornell lists A+ as 4.3, while Princeton uses 4.0 when calculating GPA.
Therefore, you should not automatically assume that an A+ always equals 4.3.
What percentage is an A+?
On a common scale:
97–100% = A+
But your institution may use a different cutoff.
A- Grade
An A- is normally just below an A.
A common scale uses:
90–92% = A-
The typical GPA value is:
3.7
For example:
- 90% = A-
- 91% = A-
- 92% = A-
B Grade
A B generally represents good or above-average academic performance.
On the common scale:
83–86% = B
The usual GPA value is:
3.0
What percentage is a B?
A commonly used scale considers 83–86% a B.
However, the answer can vary because there is no single nationwide percentage-to-letter conversion.
Is 84 a B?
Yes. Under the common scale used in this guide:
84% = B
Is 85 a B?
Yes, under this scale:
85% = B
Is 86 a B?
Yes:
86% = B
But at some schools, 86% may be a B+ depending on the institution’s grading boundaries.
B+ Grade
A B+ is above a standard B but below an A-.
A common scale is:
87–89% = B+
The typical GPA value is:
3.3
Examples:
- 87% = B+
- 88% = B+
- 89% = B+
Is 88% a B+?
Under the common scale:
88% = B+
Is 87% a B+?
Yes, under this example scale:
87% = B+
B- Grade
A B- is below a B.
A common grading scale uses:
80–82% = B-
The typical GPA value is:
2.7
Examples:
- 80% = B-
- 81% = B-
- 82% = B-
What percentage is a B-?
A common answer is 80–82%, but your school’s grading policy may use different boundaries.
C Grade
A C generally represents average or satisfactory academic performance.
A common scale uses:
73–76% = C
The typical GPA value is:
2.0
What percentage is a C?
Under this common scale:
73–76% = C
For example:
- 73% = C
- 74% = C
- 75% = C
- 76% = C
C+ Grade
A C+ is above a C but below a B-.
A common scale uses:
77–79% = C+
The typical GPA value is:
2.3
What percentage is a C+?
A commonly used range is:
77–79%
So:
- 77% = C+
- 78% = C+
- 79% = C+
Is 78% a C+?
Yes, under the common grading scale shown here.
C- Grade
A C- is below a C.
A common scale uses:
70–72% = C-
The typical GPA value is:
1.7
For example:
- 70% = C-
- 71% = C-
- 72% = C-
D Grade
A D generally represents low academic performance.
A common scale uses:
63–66% = D
The typical GPA value is:
1.0
Examples:
- 63% = D
- 64% = D
- 65% = D
- 66% = D
Is a D a passing grade?
Often, yes—but not always for every academic purpose.
A D may earn course credit at some institutions, but a department may require a C or better for a prerequisite, major requirement, or graduation requirement.
So “passing” and “acceptable for your program” are not necessarily the same thing.
D+ Grade
A D+ is higher than a D but below a C-.
A common scale uses:
67–69% = D+
The typical GPA value is:
1.3
Examples:
- 67% = D+
- 68% = D+
- 69% = D+
What percentage is a D+?
Under this common scale:
67–69% = D+
D- Grade
A D- is generally the lowest passing letter grade on many traditional grading scales.
A common range is:
60–62% = D-
The typical GPA value is:
0.7
However, whether a D- earns credit or satisfies a requirement depends on the institution and course.
F Grade
F means Fail.
A common US grading scale assigns:
Below 60% = F
The usual GPA value is:
0.0
An F normally means that the student did not meet the minimum academic requirements for the course
US Grade Chart: Percentage to Letter Grade
Here is a quick reference for a commonly used plus/minus scale:
| Percentage | Letter Grade | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| 97–100 | A+ | 4.0* |
| 93–96 | A | 4.0 |
| 90–92 | A- | 3.7 |
| 87–89 | B+ | 3.3 |
| 83–86 | B | 3.0 |
| 80–82 | B- | 2.7 |
| 77–79 | C+ | 2.3 |
| 73–76 | C | 2.0 |
| 70–72 | C- | 1.7 |
| 67–69 | D+ | 1.3 |
| 63–66 | D | 1.0 |
| 60–62 | D- | 0.7 |
| 0–59 | F | 0.0 |
What Grade Is 90% in the US?
There is no universal answer.
Under the common scale in this article:
90% = A-
But another school could define 90% as an A.
This is one of the most important things to remember about the American grading system: percentage boundaries are not nationally standardized.
What Grade Is 89%?
Using the common scale:
89% = B+
What Grade Is 88%?
88% = B+
What Grade Is 87%?
87% = B+
What Grade Is 86%?
86% = B
What Grade Is 85%?
85% = B
What Grade Is 84%?
84% = B
What Grade Is 83%?
83% = B
What Grade Is 80%?
80% = B-
What Grade Is 78%?
78% = C+
What Grade Is 76%?
76% = C
What Grade Is 75%?
75% = C
What Grade Is 70%?
70% = C-
What Grade Is 66%?
66% = D
What Grade Is 64%?
64% = D
What Grade Is 63%?
63% = D
What Grade Is 61%?
61% = D-
What Grade Is 60%?
60% = D-
What Grade Is 59%?
59% = F
Again, these answers follow the example scale in this article. Your institution’s official grading policy takes precedence.
What Is GPA in the US?
GPA stands for Grade Point Average.
It converts letter grades into numerical grade points and produces an average.
A traditional US college GPA scale is based on 4.0 points:
| Letter Grade | Typical GPA |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0–4.3* |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D- | 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
For example, Ohio State uses A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, and so on, while its failing grade is E rather than F.
How Is GPA Calculated?
A college GPA is usually calculated using both grade points and credit hours.
The basic formula is:
GPA = Total Quality Points ÷ Total GPA Credits
For example, imagine a student takes three courses:
| Course | Credits | Grade | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 3 | A | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3 | B | 3.0 |
| History | 3 | B+ | 3.3 |
Calculate the quality points:
- English: 3 × 4.0 = 12.0
- Mathematics: 3 × 3.0 = 9.0
- History: 3 × 3.3 = 9.9
Total quality points:
30.9
Total credits:
9
GPA:
30.9 ÷ 9 = 3.43
So the student’s GPA would be approximately:
3.43
This credit-hour method is also reflected in official university GPA calculations. Princeton, for example, instructs students to multiply each grade’s point value by the course’s semester hours and then divide total points by total semester hours.
What Is a 3.5 GPA?
A 3.5 GPA is generally considered a strong academic average.
On a standard 4.0 scale, it falls between:
- B+ = 3.3
- A- = 3.7
A 3.5 GPA does not necessarily mean that every class was exactly a particular letter grade. It can result from different combinations of grades.
For example, a student could produce a 3.5 average through a mixture of A-, B+, and other grades depending on course credits
What Is a 3.0 GPA?
A 3.0 GPA corresponds approximately to a B average on a traditional 4.0 scale.
It is generally calculated from grades such as:
B = 3.0
But the exact interpretation depends on the institution and grading system
What Is a 2.0 GPA?
A 2.0 GPA corresponds approximately to a C average on the traditional 4.0 scale.
C = 2.0
However, a 2.0 GPA may not be sufficient for academic progression, scholarships, a major, or graduate admission. Requirements vary considerably
GPA vs Percentage vs Letter Grade
These three terms are related but not identical.
Percentage
A percentage expresses performance numerically.
Example:
85%
Letter Grade
The percentage may be converted into a letter.
Example:
85% → B
GPA
The letter grade can then be assigned a grade-point value.
Example:
B → 3.0
The process can therefore look like:
85% → B → 3.0 GPA
But this conversion is not universal because institutions can use different percentage boundaries and GPA policies.
What Is a Passing Grade in the US?
There is no single national passing grade.
In many traditional systems, D is technically passing, while F is failing.
However, students should check the requirements for their specific program.
For example, a D may:
- Earn course credit
- Still fail to satisfy a major requirement
- Fail to meet a prerequisite requirement
- Be insufficient for a graduate program
- Affect academic standing
Some courses require C or better, while graduate programs may require significantly higher grades.
Therefore, the better question is not simply:
“Is a D passing?”
It is:
“Does this grade satisfy my school’s, program’s, or course’s requirements?”
What Are P, S, CR, and Other Grades?
Not every course uses traditional A–F grades.
Universities may also offer alternative grading systems.
P — Pass
A P generally means that the student passed the course.
Depending on the institution, a P may provide credit without contributing a traditional grade point to the GPA.
For example, Ohio State lists P as a mark that does not contribute credit points to GPA calculations.
S — Satisfactory
S generally means satisfactory performance.
The exact requirements depend on the university and course.
UW–Madison, for example, uses S/U arrangements in certain circumstances, with S and U excluded from its standard GPA calculation.
CR — Credit
CR can indicate that a student earned academic credit under an alternative grading basis.
Its exact meaning and GPA treatment vary by institution.
NC — No Credit
NC commonly means that the student did not earn credit.
The exact rules vary.
W — Withdrawal
W generally indicates that the student withdrew from the course.
A W is commonly excluded from GPA calculations, but institutional rules vary.
I — Incomplete
An I usually means that a student was unable to complete required work within the normal course period and was granted an incomplete.
The conditions for receiving and replacing an incomplete vary by university.
High School vs College Grading System in the US
The basic A–F structure can appear in both high school and college, but the way grades are used can differ.
High School
US high schools commonly use:
- A–F grades
- Percentages
- GPA
- Unweighted GPA
- Weighted GPA
- Honors/AP/IB course weighting in some systems
A weighted high school GPA may give additional weight to advanced courses.
College and University
Colleges commonly use:
- Letter grades
- Plus/minus grades
- Credit hours
- Grade points
- Semester GPA
- Cumulative GPA
- Pass/fail or alternative grading options
At university, your GPA is often calculated using the number of credits attached to each cours
Do All US Universities Use the Same Grading Scale?
No.
This is one of the biggest differences between the US grading system and some centralized national grading systems.
Universities can have different:
- Letter grades
- Percentage ranges
- GPA values
- Passing requirements
- Plus/minus systems
- Pass/fail policies
- Grade symbols
For example, Cornell’s published grading information gives A+ a value of 4.3, whereas Princeton’s GPA calculation uses 4.0 for A+. UW–Madison uses A, AB, B, BC, C, D and F and does not use plus/minus signs in its standard grading system.
This is why an online “US grading scale” should be treated as a reference rather than a universal law.
Examples of University Grading Systems
Below are examples that demonstrate how much grading can vary between US universities.
| University | Example of Grading Approach |
|---|---|
| Cornell University | Uses A+ through F in its published grading system; A+ can be 4.3 |
| Princeton University | A+ is treated as 4.0 for GPA calculations |
| University of Wisconsin–Madison | Uses A, AB, B, BC, C, D and F; no plus/minus |
| Ohio State University | Uses A through E, including plus/minus grades |
| Other US universities | Policies vary by institution and sometimes by program |
Cornell’s registrar documentation assigns A+ = 4.3 and A = 4.0 for the applicable grading system.
Princeton’s registrar currently provides an A+ = 4.0 GPA conversion and notes that A+ was 4.3 prior to 2000–01.
UW–Madison states that its standard university grading system does not use plus and minus signs, and its highest GPA is 4.0.
Ohio State’s official transcript key uses A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D and E, with E representing failure.
Why University-Specific Grading Scales Matter
A student transferring from one US university to another should not assume that two letter grades have identical GPA values or meanings.
Always check:
- The university registrar
- The course syllabus
- The academic catalog
- Your college or department
- Your transcript legend
Alternative US Grading Scales
Although the 4.0 GPA system is widely recognized, other grading methods also exist.
5-Point Grading Scale
Some schools or programs may use a 5-point system, especially for weighted high school GPA calculations.
A common example may assign additional points for advanced coursework.
However, a 5.0 GPA should not automatically be interpreted as the same thing as a college 4.0 GPA
10-Point Grading Scale
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Some schools, courses, or institutions may use numerical grading systems based on 10-point ranges.
For example:
- 90–100
- 80–89
- 70–79
- 60–69
- Below 60
The exact letter conversion depends on the institution.
International Baccalaureate Grading Scale
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme uses a different grading system from the conventional US A–F scale.
IB courses are commonly graded from:
1 to 7
with 7 representing the highest individual subject grade.
Because IB and US systems measure grades differently, an IB score should not be converted into a US letter grade without using an appropriate institutional or admissions conversion policy.
Pass/Fail Grading
Some US colleges allow students to take selected courses on a pass/fail basis.
Instead of receiving a traditional letter grade, the transcript may show a passing or failing result.
The advantage is that a passing result may not affect the traditional GPA.
However, there can be restrictions on:
- Which courses qualify
- How many courses can be taken pass/fail
- Whether major requirements permit pass/fail
- Whether graduate schools accept pass/fail coursework
- Whether the grade earns credit
Always check your institution’s policy before selecting pass/fail grading.
Letter Grade to GPA Conversion Chart
A typical 4.0 conversion looks like this:
| Letter | GPA |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0–4.3 |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D- | 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
Is a B a Good Grade in the US?
Yes.
A B generally indicates good or above-average academic performance.
On a typical 4.0 scale:
B = 3.0 GPA
A B is substantially above a failing grade and can represent solid academic performance.
However, whether a B is sufficient depends on the student’s goal.
For example, a B might be:
- Good enough for a course
- Insufficient for a competitive scholarship
- Below the required grade for a particular prerequisite
- Acceptable for one graduate program but not another
Is a C a Passing Grade?
A C is generally considered passing in many US grading systems.
A traditional C is approximately:
2.0 GPA
But a C may not satisfy every academic requirement.
Some programs require:
C or better
while others require:
B or better
for specific courses
Is a D a Passing Grade?
A D can be a passing grade for some courses.
However, that does not mean a D will always count toward your degree or meet a prerequisite.
For example, a university may award course credit for a D while requiring a C or higher for a major course.
Always check the specific academic requirement.
What Does a 4.0 GPA Mean?
A 4.0 GPA generally represents the highest standard GPA on a traditional 4.0 system.
It usually corresponds to earning A grades throughout the courses included in the calculation.
However, some institutions use GPA scales above 4.0 or assign A+ a value above 4.0.
Cornell, for example, lists A+ as 4.3 in its published grading system
What Does a 3.7 GPA Mean?
A 3.7 GPA corresponds approximately to:
A-
on a common 4.0 scale.
It represents strong academic performance.
What Does a 3.3 GPA Mean?
A 3.3 GPA corresponds approximately to:
B+
on a common 4.0 scale.
What Does a 2.7 GPA Mean?
A 2.7 GPA corresponds approximately to:
B-
on a common 4.0 scale.
What Does a 2.3 GPA Mean?
A 2.3 GPA corresponds approximately to:
C+
on a common 4.0 scale.
What Does a 1.7 GPA Mean?
A 1.7 GPA corresponds approximately to:
C-
on a common 4.0 scale.
US Grading System vs Other Countries
The US grading system can look very different from grading systems used elsewhere.
For example, a student may encounter:
- Percentage systems
- 10-point scales
- 20-point scales
- 5-point scales
- 7-point IB grades
- Letter grades
- 4.0 GPA systems
- Pass/fail systems
This makes international grade conversion complicated.
There is no single conversion formula that accurately converts every country’s grades into a US GPA.
Universities may use their own evaluation methods when reviewing international transcripts.
How Do US Schools Calculate Final Grades
A student’s final course grade may be based on several components.
For example:
| Assessment | Weight |
|---|---|
| Midterm Exam | 25% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Assignments | 20% |
| Quizzes | 10% |
| Participation | 15% |
The instructor calculates the weighted score and then applies the course’s grading scale.
This means two students can have the same exam score but different final grades because assignments, projects, participation, and other components are included.
The exact grading method should normally be described in the course syllabus.
Why Can the Same Percentage Have Different Letter Grades?
Suppose a student receives:
90%
One course might define 90% as:
A-
Another might define it as:
A
Another might use a completely different numerical scale.
This happens because US grading is decentralized.
Schools, colleges, universities, departments, and individual instructors can establish grading policies within their institutional rules.
Therefore, an online conversion chart should never replace the official grading scale for a specific course.
US Grading System: Key Points to Remember
If you only remember a few things about the American grading system, remember these:
- A–F is the most familiar US letter-grade structure.
- Plus and minus grades are common but not universal.
- There is no single national percentage-to-letter grading scale.
- A 4.0 GPA is the traditional maximum on many US GPA systems.
- A+ may equal 4.0, 4.3, or have no separate GPA value.
- A D can be passing but may not satisfy a degree or prerequisite requirement.
- P, S, CR, W, I and other marks can have different meanings at different institutions.
- College GPA calculations normally account for course credit hours.
- High school weighted GPA and college GPA are not necessarily calculated the same way.
- Always check the official grading policy for your school or university.
Frequently Asked Questions About the US Grading System
What is the US grading system?
The US grading system commonly uses A, B, C, D and F letter grades. Many institutions also use plus and minus grades and convert letter grades into grade points for GPA calculations
What is the US grading scale from A to F?
A common scale is:
A = excellent, B = good, C = average, D = low/pass, F = fail.
The exact percentage ranges vary by institution.
What percentage is a B?
A commonly used scale defines 83–86% as a B.
What percentage is a B+?
A common scale defines 87–89% as a B+.
What percentage is a B-?
A common scale defines 80–82% as a B-
What percentage is a C+?
A common scale defines 77–79% as a C+.
What percentage is a D+?
A common scale defines 67–69% as a D+
Is 84 a B?
Under the common plus/minus scale used in this guide, 84% is a B
Is 85 a B?
Yes. Under this scale, 85% is a B.
Is 86 a B?
Yes. Under this example scale, 86% is a B.
Is 87 a B+?
Yes. Under this scale, 87% is a B+.
Is 88 a B+?
Yes. Under this scale, 88% is a B+
Is 95 an A?
Yes. Under the common scale used in this article, 95% is an A.
Is 97 an A+?
Under this example scale, 97% is an A+.
What is the lowest passing grade in the US?
There is no universal national minimum. Many traditional systems consider D passing, but specific courses and programs may require C or higher.
Is a 3.5 GPA good?
A 3.5 GPA is generally considered strong on a traditional 4.0 scale. It falls between B+ and A-.
What is a 2.0 GPA?
A 2.0 GPA corresponds approximately to a C average on a traditional 4.0 scale.
What is a 3.0 GPA?
A 3.0 GPA corresponds approximately to a B average
What is a 3.5 GPA in letter grades?
A 3.5 GPA falls between B+ (3.3) and A- (3.7) on a common 4.0 scale.
Does an A+ always equal 4.3 GPA?
No.
Some universities use 4.3 for A+, some use 4.0, and some do not use A+ in their standard GPA calculation. Cornell and Princeton provide clear examples of this difference.
Does a D count as passing?
Often yes, but a D may not meet the requirements for a major, prerequisite, or specific program
What does P mean on a US transcript?
P commonly means Pass. Whether it contributes to GPA or simply awards credit depends on the institution.
What does S mean in grading?
S generally means Satisfactory. Its GPA treatment depends on the university.
Is there one official US grading scale?
No. The United States does not have one nationwide percentage-to-letter grading chart used by every educational institution.
Final Takeaway
The US grading system is usually built around letter grades from A to F, with many schools and universities using plus and minus grades and a 4.0 GPA system.
A commonly used scale places:
- A/A+ at the top
- B around the 3.0 GPA level
- C around 2.0
- D around 1.0
- F at 0.0
But these numbers are not universal US standards.
The most important distinction is that grading policies vary between institutions. Cornell, Princeton, UW–Madison, Ohio State and other universities demonstrate that even the treatment of A+, plus/minus grades, and alternative marks can differ.
If you are calculating your GPA, applying to a university, transferring credits, or converting an international grade, use the official grading policy of the institution involved rather than relying solely on a generic US grading chart.
In short: there is a common American grading system, but there is no single grading scale that applies to every US school and university.