The US grading system and GPA, explained
American schools grade on letters (A–F) that map to a 4.0 GPA scale. Most courses also use plus/minus grades (A-, B+), and your GPA is the average of those points across all classes. Here is exactly how the letters, percentages and GPA line up.
The grades and what they mean
| Letter | Percentage | GPA points | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97–100 | 4.0 | Outstanding |
| A | 93–96 | 4.0 | Excellent |
| A- | 90–92 | 3.7 | Excellent |
| B+ | 87–89 | 3.3 | Very good |
| B | 83–86 | 3.0 | Good |
| B- | 80–82 | 2.7 | Good |
| C+ | 77–79 | 2.3 | Satisfactory |
| C | 73–76 | 2.0 | Satisfactory |
| C- | 70–72 | 1.7 | Passing |
| D+ | 67–69 | 1.3 | Weak pass |
| D | 63–66 | 1.0 | Minimum pass |
| D- | 60–62 | 0.7 | Barely passing |
| F | 0–59 | 0.0 | Fail |
The pass mark
A D (60%) is usually the lowest passing grade for a class, but many programs require a C (2.0 GPA) or higher for a course to count toward a major or for graduate admission. Below 60% is an F.
GPA below 2.0 typically puts a student on academic probation.
How GPA is calculated
Each letter is worth GPA points (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0). Multiply each course's points by its credit hours, add them up, and divide by total credits. That weighted average is your GPA.
Weighted GPA adds bonus points for Honors and AP/IB classes (an A can be worth 5.0), which is why some students report a GPA above 4.0.
A, B, C… in plain terms
A = excellent, B = above average, C = average/satisfactory, D = below average but passing, F = failing. A 'straight-A student' has a 4.0 unweighted GPA.
Check your grade before you turn it in
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Grade my work freeFrequently asked questions
- What GPA is an A?
- A straight A is a 4.0. An A- is 3.7 and a B+ is 3.3 on the standard 4.0 scale.
- Is a D a passing grade in the US?
- Usually yes for the class itself (60%+), but many majors and grad schools require at least a C. Below 60% is an F.
- What is a good GPA?
- 3.5+ is generally considered strong, 3.0 solid, and below 2.0 risks academic probation. Selective colleges often expect 3.7+.
Related guides: How grading scales compare · UK grading system