Guide
The 4.0 GPA Scale, Explained
The 4.0 GPA scale is the standard system most US high schools and colleges use to summarize academic performance. Each letter grade maps to a number between 0.0 and 4.0, and your GPA is the credit-weighted average across all your classes.
Letter grade, percentage and GPA chart
| Letter | Percentage | GPA (4.0 scale) |
|---|---|---|
| A+ / A | 93–100 | 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 calculate your GPA
- 1. Convert each course's letter grade to its GPA value using the chart above.
- 2. Multiply each GPA value by the course's credit hours to get grade points.
- 3. Add all grade points and divide by the total credit hours.
Prefer to skip the math? Use the free GPA Calculator and enter your courses.
Common GPA questions
What is a 3.5 GPA?
A 3.5 GPA sits between an A- and B+ average — roughly 90–92% — and is considered very strong by most universities.
What is a 3.0 GPA?
A 3.0 GPA is a B average, around 83–86%. It meets typical college admission baselines but is below competitive thresholds.
What's the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
Unweighted GPA caps at 4.0. Weighted GPA can go above 4.0 because honors and AP classes earn extra points (often +0.5 or +1.0).