The Finnish grading system (4–10), explained
Finland grades on a 4-to-10 scale (arvosana), where 10 is the best and 4 is the only failing grade. So the passing range is 5–10, and there is no 1, 2 or 3 in school grading. Universities sometimes use a 0–5 scale, but 4–10 is what most students know.
The grades and what they mean
| Grade | Finnish | Meaning | ≈ US GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Erinomainen | Excellent | 4.0 |
| 9 | Kiitettävä | Very good | 3.7 |
| 8 | Hyvä | Good | 3.3 |
| 7 | Tyydyttävä | Satisfactory | 2.7 |
| 6 | Kohtalainen | Moderate | 2.3 |
| 5 | Välttävä | Passable — minimum pass | 2.0 |
| 4 | Hylätty | Fail | 0.0 |
The pass mark
5 is the lowest passing grade; 4 is the only fail. A 10 (erinomainen) is excellent and given for top work, so a 9 is already very strong.
The compact 4–10 range means there is no room below 4 — you either pass (5–10) or fail (4).
Converting Finnish grades to a US GPA
Roughly: 10 ≈ 4.0, 9 ≈ 3.7, 8 ≈ 3.3, 7 ≈ 2.7, 5 ≈ 2.0 (pass). Check the receiving institution's table, as some universities use a 0–5 scale instead.
School vs university
Comprehensive and upper-secondary school use 4–10. Many universities grade course-by-course on 0–5 (5 best, 0 fail) or simply pass/fail, so read the transcript key.
Katso arvosanasi heti
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Grade my work freeFrequently asked questions
- Is 5 a pass in Finland?
- Yes. On the 4–10 scale, 5 is the lowest pass and 4 is the only fail.
- What is the best Finnish grade?
- 10 (erinomainen) is the top grade, awarded for excellent work.
- Does Finland use 1–3 grades?
- Not in the standard school scale — it runs 4 to 10, so there is no 1, 2 or 3.
Related guides: Swedish grading system · Norwegian grading system