US Grading System Explained: A to F Scale

If you are new to the United States education system (or just need a refresher), understanding how grades work is essential. Unlike some countries that rely strictly on a 0-100 point scale, the US commonly uses a combination of letter grades, percentages, and a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) scale.

The Standard Letter Grades

Most American schools use the following scale:

Letter	Percentage	GPA (4.0 Scale)	Description
A	90 - 100%	4.0	Excellent
B	80 - 89%	3.0	Good
C	70 - 79%	2.0	Average
D	60 - 69%	1.0	Poor
F	Below 60%	0.0	Failing

The Plus/Minus System

Many schools take it a step further with plus and minus grades. A "B+" is higher than a "B", while a "B-" is lower. This changes the GPA incrementally:

• A-: 3.7
• B+: 3.3
• B-: 2.7
• C+: 2.3

What is a Passing Grade?

Generally, anything above a 60% (a D) is considered passing in high school. However, in college, many specific majors (like business or engineering) require a "C" (70%) or higher in core classes to count toward the degree. An "F" means no credit was earned, and the class must usually be retaken.

How to Convert Your Grades to GPA

To find your overall GPA, each letter grade is converted to its numeric value (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, etc.), added together, and divided by the number of classes.

If you need to calculate your exact GPA or figure out what a 70% equals on a 4.0 scale, use our free GPA Calculator. It handles high school, college, weighted, and unweighted scales instantly.