Grading Scale
A one-page grading scale reference for teachers, students, parents, and school administrators. Use it to translate any percentage score into a letter grade and its GPA equivalent, and to understand which scale your school likely uses.
Letter grades
Letter grades are the compact summary of a student's performance. The five core letters — A, B, C, D, F — appear on virtually every US transcript. Most colleges and many high schools add plus and minus modifiers to split each letter into three bands. Here is what each letter means at a glance:
- A — excellent, mastery of the material.
- B — above average, solid understanding.
- C — average, meets basic expectations.
- D — below average but still passing at most schools.
- F — failing, work not accepted for credit.
Some institutions add non-letter marks: P (pass), NP (no pass), W (withdrew), I (incomplete), and AU (audit). These do not carry grade points and are generally excluded from GPA calculations.
Percentage grades
Underneath every letter is a percentage — the raw score on the assignment. To find it, divide correct answers by total questions and multiply by 100, or use the easy grade calculator. Different schools map the same percentage to different letters, which is why knowing your school's scale matters. The three scales below cover almost every US school; international scales (UK, EU, IB) differ and usually need a formal conversion.
Grade scale chart — plus/minus (college standard)
| Letter | Percentage | 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 |
Grade scale chart — 10-point (K–12 standard)
| Letter | Percentage | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| A | 90–100% | 4.0 |
| B | 80–89% | 3.0 |
| C | 70–79% | 2.0 |
| D | 60–69% | 1.0 |
| F | Below 60% | 0.0 |
Grade scale chart — 7-point (legacy)
| Letter | Percentage |
|---|---|
| A | 93–100% |
| B | 85–92% |
| C | 77–84% |
| D | 70–76% |
| F | Below 70% |
The 7-point scale used to be common in North Carolina public schools and a few other districts. Most have since migrated to the 10-point scale, but you may still see it on older transcripts or in specific programs.
Examples
- A student scores 88%. On the plus/minus scale, that is a B+ (3.3 GPA). On the 10-point scale, it is a plain B (3.0). On the 7-point scale, it is a B as well.
- A student scores 72%. Plus/minus: C− (1.7 GPA). 10-point: C (2.0). 7-point: D (below the 77% C threshold).
- A student scores 69%. Plus/minus: D+. 10-point: D. 7-point: F — passing on two scales, failing on the third.
- A student scores 95%. Every scale gives an A (or A on the plus/minus scale, since 95% is in the flat 93–96 A band).
Because a single percentage can produce three different letter grades, always publish the exact scale you use in the course syllabus, and apply it identically for every student. Our grade calculation guide walks through rounding, curves, and dropped scores in detail.
Notes on borderline scores and rounding
Schools handle borderline scores differently. Some round to the nearest whole percent before applying the scale (89.5% → 90% → A−); others use the exact figure (89.5% → B+). Whichever your school uses, write it into the syllabus and apply it identically to every student.
Frequently asked questions
Which grading scale is standard in US schools?
Most K–12 schools use the 10-point scale (A 90–100, B 80–89, C 70–79, D 60–69, F below 60). Most US colleges and universities use the plus/minus scale, which splits each letter grade into three bands.
What is the difference between the 10-point and 7-point scale?
The 10-point scale gives each letter grade a 10-percentage-point range. The 7-point scale is stricter — the A band is only 93–100, and anything below 70 is failing. The 7-point scale used to be common in North Carolina and a few other districts; today it is rare.
How do I convert a percentage to a letter grade?
Look up the percentage in the table for your school's scale. For a plus/minus scale, an 87 is a B+; for a 10-point scale, the same 87 is a B. For an instant conversion, use the letter grade calculator.
What is a passing grade?
In the 10-point and plus/minus scales, 60% and above is passing (D or higher). On the 7-point scale, the threshold is 70%. Some colleges require a C (73%) or better for a course to count toward a major.
How does the grading scale relate to GPA?
GPA is calculated from the grade points assigned to each letter grade, weighted by credit hours. The plus/minus GPA column above shows the standard mapping. Use the GPA calculator for a cumulative figure.
Related tools
- Letter Grade Calculator — convert any percentage to a letter grade.
- GPA Calculator — cumulative 4.0-scale GPA from letter grades and credit hours.
- Easy Grader — instant percentage from wrong answers.
- Grade Calculator hub — every grading tool in one place.