4.0 Scale GPA Calculator: Calculate and Understand Your GPA
The 4.0 scale is the standard GPA system used at most US colleges and universities. On this scale, an A equals 4.0, a B equals 3.0, and a C equals 2.0, with the scale topping out at 4.0.
Enter your courses, credits, and grades below. The calculator converts every letter grade to its 4.0 scale value, weights each course by credit hours, and shows your overall GPA.
Scroll down after your results to see the full 4.0 scale breakdown and what each GPA range means.
The 4.0 GPA Scale: Complete Grade Chart
Every letter grade maps to a fixed GPA value on the 4.0 scale:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | 97–100% |
| A | 4.0 | 93–96% |
| A– | 3.7 | 90–92% |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87–89% |
| B | 3.0 | 83–86% |
| B– | 2.7 | 80–82% |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77–79% |
| C | 2.0 | 73–76% |
| C– | 1.7 | 70–72% |
| D+ | 1.3 | 67–69% |
| D | 1.0 | 63–66% |
| D– | 0.7 | 60–62% |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% |
Note: A and A+ both equal 4.0; the scale does not go above 4.0 for standard (unweighted) courses.
How GPA is Calculated on the 4.0 Scale
The formula is identical to the standard GPA calculation: total quality points divided by total credits.
Step 1: Convert each grade to its 4.0 value
- Math 101, grade A = 4.0
- English 101, grade B+ = 3.3
- History 201, grade B = 3.0
Step 2: Multiply each grade value by its credit hours
- Math 101: 4.0 × 3 credits = 12.0 quality points
- English 101: 3.3 × 3 credits = 9.9 quality points
- History 201: 3.0 × 3 credits = 9.0 quality points.
- Total quality points: 30.9
Step 3: Divide by total credits
- Total credits: 9
- GPA: 30.9 ÷ 9 = 3.43
A 3.43 on the 4.0 scale is a solid B+. The calculator handles every step automatically.
What Does Your GPA Mean on the 4.0 Scale?
Most admissions offices and employers use these reference ranges:
3.7–4.0 Summa cum laude territory: Consistently near-perfect grades. Competitive for top graduate programs and highly selective employers.
3.5–3.69 Dean’s List level: Strong academic performance. Qualifies for most honors programs and merit scholarships.
3.0–3.49 Solid B range: Good standing at most institutions. Meets minimum requirements for many graduate programs.
2.5–2.99 Borderline: Acceptable at most schools but may restrict graduate program options. Worth improving.
2.0–2.49 Minimum passing: Meets the baseline to avoid academic probation at most colleges.
Below 2.0 Academic risk zone: Many schools require a 2.0 to remain enrolled. Academic probation typically kicks in here.
Why 4.0? Where the Scale Comes From
The 4.0 scale dates to the 19th century and became the de facto US college standard because it maps neatly to letter grades: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0.
It does not mean 4.0 is 100%. A 4.0 GPA means straight A’s, the highest possible on the unweighted scale. It does not mean you scored 100% on every test. You can earn a 4.0 in a course with 93% (that is still an A).
Different countries use different scales. India and Pakistan often use 10-point scales. Germany uses 1–5 (reversed, 1 = best). Australia uses HD/D/CR/P. If your grades come from another system, use the grade input type “GPA value” to enter a converted figure.
4.0 Scale vs. Weighted GPA
Unweighted 4.0 scale (what this calculator uses by default):
- The maximum is 4.0 regardless of course difficulty
- AP, IB, and honors courses count the same as regular classes
- Straightforward to compare across students
Weighted GPA (used at many high schools):
- AP courses: +1.0 bonus (max 5.0)
- Honors courses: +0.5 bonus (max 4.5)
- Rewards for harder coursework
- Can exceed 4.0
Most US colleges recalculate applicants’ GPAs on an unweighted 4.0 scale to compare students fairly. So even if your high school reports a 4.4 weighted GPA, your unweighted 4.0 scale GPA is what colleges typically evaluate.
Converting Other Grading Systems to the 4.0 Scale
If your grades aren’t in A–F letter format, you still have two options in this calculator:
Enter as a percentage: Select “Percent (%)” as the grade type and enter your score. The calculator converts automatically: 93% → A → 4.0, 85% → B → 3.0, etc.
Enter as GPA value directly: If you already know your grade’s 4.0 equivalent (from a conversion chart or your school’s scale), select “GPA value” and enter it directly.
Common conversion reference:
- 10-point scale (India/Pakistan): Multiply by 0.4 (e.g., 8.5/10 → 3.4/4.0)
- Percentage: 93%+ = 4.0, 83%+ = 3.0, 73%+ = 2.0
- German 1–5 scale: 1 ≈ 4.0, 2 ≈ 3.0, 3 ≈ 2.0, 4 ≈ 1.0
FAQ: 4.0 Scale GPA Calculator
Can GPA exceed 4.0 on this calculator?
Not on an unweighted 4.0 scale. The maximum is 4.0. If your school uses weighted GPA (adding points for AP or honors courses), your weighted GPA can exceed 4.0, but this calculator uses the standard unweighted scale. For weighted GPA, see the weighted GPA calculator.
Is a 3.0 GPA good on a 4.0 scale?
It depends on the context. A 3.0 is a B average, solid and acceptable at most schools. For competitive graduate programs or scholarships, a 3.5+ is typically preferred. For general employment purposes, 3.0+ is usually sufficient.
My school uses a 10-point scale. How do I enter my GPA?
Select “GPA value” as your grade type and enter your converted value. A rough conversion: divide your 10-point GPA by 2.5 to approximate the 4.0 equivalent (e.g., 8.0/10 ÷ 2.5 = 3.2/4.0). Or use the percentage input if you know your grade percentages.
What is the difference between this and the main GPA calculator?
The GPA calculator is a general-purpose tool that supports any scale or grading system. This 4.0 scale calculator defaults to the standard US 4.0 scale and includes the complete grade-to-value chart and reference ranges for the 4.0 scale. Use this if you specifically want the 4.0 scale with an explanation of each range.
Does an A+ give me a score higher than 4.0?
On a standard unweighted 4.0 scale, no. A+ and A are both worth 4.0. Some schools award A+ = 4.3 on a modified scale, but that’s non-standard. This calculator uses the conventional mapping where both A and A+ equal 4.0.
Do pass/fail courses count toward my GPA?
No. Pass/fail and credit/no-credit courses typically do not count toward your GPA; only letter-graded courses do. Do not include pass/fail courses in this calculator.
The 4.0 scale is the standard for US colleges. An A is 4.0, a B is 3.0, and a C is 2.0. Your GPA is total quality points divided by total credits. Enter your courses above for your 4.0 scale GPA.