Grading Scales
Schools don’t all use the same GPA scale. Below are common mappings you can use to interpret your results. If your school publishes its own table, always defer to that.
Classic 4.0 scale (no plus/minus)
| Letter | Points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| B | 3.0 |
| C | 2.0 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
Plus/Minus example (4.33-style)
This is a common example. Your school may use slightly different values.
| Letter | Points |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.33 |
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.67 |
| C+ | 2.33 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.67 |
| D+ | 1.33 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
How weighting changes points
If your school adds +0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP/IB, then:
- Honors A could be 4.5 (or capped)
- AP A could be 5.0 (or capped)
For the exact math used here, see Methodology.
Choosing the right grading scale
A 4.0 scale is common, but it is not universal. Some schools use a 4.33 scale to represent A+ grades, while others use plus/minus without going above 4.0. The key is matching the policy used on your transcript.
If your school reports percentages, the letter boundary can change the point value. For example, a 89% might be a B+ in one district and a B in another. Those boundary rules are why GPA calculators should always state assumptions.
When you are comparing students from different schools, unweighted GPA on a standard 4.0 framework is often the fairest common language. Weighted GPA is better for comparing course rigor within the same policy environment.
- 4.0 vs 4.33 and when each applies
- Plus/minus boundaries change outcomes
- When unweighted comparison is most meaningful
Why Grading Scales Differ (And How to Use the Right One)
A “4.0 scale” is a label, not a universal standard. Some schools use a straight A=4.0, B=3.0 scale. Others use plus/minus, where B+ might be 3.3 and A- might be 3.7. A few districts use a 4.33 scale (A+ above 4.0) while others clamp A+ to 4.0. Those choices can move GPA by tenths over time.
Weighted scales also differ. Many schools use a 5.0 maximum for AP/IB, but the amount added for Honors and AP varies. When comparing GPAs across schools, remember that a 4.3 weighted GPA at one high school can represent a different level of rigor than a 4.3 at another.
If your transcript is primarily percent-based (for example 0–100), the conversion table matters. Two schools can assign different letter grades to the same percentage. Always start from your own school’s published conversion chart when possible.
Weighted GPA Scales (With AP and Honors)
| Grade | AP/IB (+1.0) | Honors (+0.5) | Regular (0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| A− | 4.7 | 4.2 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 4.3 | 3.8 | 3.3 |
| B | 4.0 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| B− | 3.7 | 3.2 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 3.3 | 2.8 | 2.3 |
| C | 3.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 |
| D | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 |
| F | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
How to Find Your School's Official Scale
Your school's exact grading scale and weighting rules are typically published in the student/parent handbook, the school counseling website, or the course catalog. If you can't find it, your school counselor can tell you in one email. The most important things to confirm: (1) does your school use plus/minus grades, (2) what weight bonus does each course level receive, and (3) are there any courses excluded from GPA calculation (like PE or health).
International & Alternative Scales
| System | Conversion | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UK A-Level | A*=5, A=4, B=3, C=2 | Not directly comparable to US 4.0 scale |
| IB (International Baccalaureate) | 7=4.0, 6=3.7, 5=3.3... | IB 7-point scale converted for US college apps |
| Canadian (Ontario) | 90–100%=4.0, 80–89%=3.7... | Percentage-based; converts to 4.0 for US apps |
| German (Gymnasium) | 1.0 (best) to 6.0 (fail) | Inverted scale — 1=A, 6=F |