Letter Grade to GPA — Convert Any Letter Grade Instantly
Find the GPA value of any letter grade from A+ to F — with quality points by credit hours, GPA impact calculator, and complete letter grade reference guide
This page provides instant letter grade to GPA lookup for any letter grade on the standard 4.0 scale, a quality points calculator showing how each letter grade affects your GPA based on credit hours, and a comprehensive reference for all grading systems including plus-minus and no-plus-minus variants. Whether you want to know the GPA value of a grade you just received, plan which courses to take, or understand how different grades would affect your cumulative GPA, this is your complete guide.
Complete Letter Grade to GPA Conversion Table
All grades from A+ through F plus special grades — covering standard 4.0 scale, A+=4.3 variant, quality points, and academic context. For the full 4.0 scale breakdown see the 4-Point GPA Scale.
| Grade | GPA (4.0) | GPA (A+=4.3) | Percentage | QP (3-cr) | QP (4-cr) | Counts GPA? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | 4.3 | 97–100% | 12.0 | 16.0 | |
| A | 4.0 | 4.0 | 93–96% | 12.0 | 16.0 | |
| A- | 3.7 | 3.7 | 90–92% | 11.1 | 14.8 | |
| B+ | 3.3 | 3.3 | 87–89% | 9.9 | 13.2 | |
| B | 3.0 | 3.0 | 83–86% | 9.0 | 12.0 | |
| B- | 2.7 | 2.7 | 80–82% | 8.1 | 10.8 | |
| C+ | 2.3 | 2.3 | 77–79% | 6.9 | 9.2 | |
| C | 2.0 | 2.0 | 73–76% | 6.0 | 8.0 | |
| C- | 1.7 | 1.7 | 70–72% | 5.1 | 6.8 | |
| D+ | 1.3 | 1.3 | 67–69% | 3.9 | 5.2 | |
| D | 1.0 | 1.0 | 63–66% | 3.0 | 4.0 | |
| D- | 0.7 | 0.7 | 60–62% | 2.1 | 2.8 | |
| F | 0.0 | 0.0 | < 60% | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| W | — | — | N/A | — | — | No |
| WF | 0.0 | 0.0 | N/A | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| I | — | — | N/A | — | — | No |
| P | — | — | ≥ 60% | — | — | No |
| NP | — | — | < 60% | — | — | No |
| AU | — | — | N/A | — | — | No |
| CR | — | — | ≥ 60% | — | — | No |
| NC | — | — | < 60% | — | — | No |
| S | — | — | ≥ C | — | — | No |
| U | — | — | < C | — | — | No |
No-Plus-Minus Scale (Simple 5-Point System)
| Letter Grade | GPA Points | Percentage Range | Quality Points (3-credit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 90–100% | 12.0 |
| B | 3.0 | 80–89% | 9.0 |
| C | 2.0 | 70–79% | 6.0 |
| D | 1.0 | 60–69% | 3.0 |
| F | 0.0 | < 60% | 0.0 |
Plus and Minus Grades — How They Affect Your GPA
The standard US letter grade system uses plus and minus variants to distinguish performance within each broad letter grade category. Not all institutions use plus-minus — some use only A, B, C, D, F. Understanding the thresholds can dramatically affect your study priorities. See the full GPA Scale for all grading contexts.
| Percentage Range | Grade Earned | GPA Points | Next Threshold | GPA Gain by Crossing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97–100% | A+ | 4.0 | Max achieved | — |
| 93–96% | A | 4.0 | 97% → A+ (no gain on 4.0) | 0.0 (standard) |
| 90–92% | A- | 3.7 | 93% → A | +0.30 |
| 87–89% | B+ | 3.3 | 90% → A- | +0.40 |
| 83–86% | B | 3.0 | 87% → B+ | +0.30 |
| 80–82% | B- | 2.7 | 83% → B | +0.30 |
| 77–79% | C+ | 2.3 | 80% → B- | +0.40 |
| 73–76% | C | 2.0 | 77% → C+ | +0.30 |
| 70–72% | C- | 1.7 | 73% → C | +0.30 |
The jump from B+ (89%) to A- (90%) gains you +0.40 GPA points per course — the largest single-percentage-point gain on the entire scale. One percentage point in this range is worth more than any other single percentage point on the scale.
At a no-plus-minus institution a student averaging 87% earns a 3.0 GPA (B). At a plus-minus institution the same 87% earns 3.3 GPA (B+). This difference — 0.3 GPA points — matters significantly for graduate school eligibility and honors thresholds.
Special Grades and Their GPA Impact — W, I, P, F, and More
Understanding special grade codes is critical to protecting your GPA and transcript. Here is what every special grade means and how it affects your academic record.
- •Does not affect GPA — course removed from calculation
- •Visible on transcript — multiple Ws may concern graduate schools
- •Late withdrawal may become WF (counts as F) — always check deadline
- •Temporary grade — does not affect GPA while pending
- •Automatically converts to F if not resolved by deadline (usually one semester)
- •You must complete outstanding work and have professor submit grade change
- •P earns credit hours — not included in GPA calculation
- •NP earns no credit, not included in GPA
- •Most programs limit how many major courses can be taken P/NP
- •Late withdrawal treated as F = 0.0 GPA at many institutions
- •Significantly damages GPA — equivalent to earning an F
- •Always withdraw before the official deadline to receive a W not WF
- •Student attends class without receiving credit or grade
- •No GPA impact — no credit hours earned
- •Useful for exploring subjects without GPA risk
- •S typically equates to C or above — earns credit without GPA impact
- •U may or may not affect GPA depending on institution
- •Some institutions treat U as F — check your institution's policy
How Letter Grades Affect Your GPA — The Math of Grade Impact
The GPA impact of any single grade depends entirely on how many credit hours you have already accumulated. Early in your degree, grades carry maximum weight. Later, each grade has diminishing influence on your cumulative GPA. Use the GPA Predictor for detailed future planning.
| Credits Already Completed | New GPA with A (4.0) | New GPA with C (2.0) | GPA Swing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 credits | 3.31 | 2.69 | ±0.31 |
| 30 credits | 3.18 | 2.82 | ±0.18 |
| 45 credits | 3.12 | 2.88 | ±0.12 |
| 60 credits | 3.09 | 2.91 | ±0.09 |
| 90 credits | 3.06 | 2.94 | ±0.06 |
| 120 credits | 3.05 | 2.95 | ±0.05 |
One grade can swing GPA by ±0.31 — huge impact. Prioritize early performance.
One grade moves GPA by ±0.09 — still meaningful but harder to recover quickly.
One grade moves GPA by ±0.05 — minimal individual impact, pattern matters more.
Letter Grades and Graduate School — What Grades Matter Most
Graduate programs evaluate overall GPA but scrutinize individual course grades — especially in relevant fields. A C in a core prerequisite is a red flag regardless of overall GPA.
B or above (3.0+) in BCPM courses. AMCAS calculates a separate BCPM GPA for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Math. Single C in Organic Chemistry is noted by admissions committees.
Overall GPA 3.5+ for top schools. Law schools focus primarily on cumulative GPA rather than individual course grades. LSAC calculates its own GPA including all undergraduate work.
B or above in major coursework. Lab and research course grades are weighted heavily. Upward trend from freshman to senior year is favorable. See Latin Honors GPA for threshold context.
B or above (3.0+ overall). Business programs value quantitative course grades (statistics, economics, accounting). Individual course grades in the field are reviewed.
B or above in technical courses. C grades in core engineering subjects (Circuits, Thermodynamics, Algorithms) are red flags even with strong overall GPA.
B or above in science prerequisites. Retaking courses with low grades is generally viewed positively as it demonstrates improvement.
For GPA thresholds and honors requirements, see Latin Honors GPA.
Letter Grades for Academic Honors — What You Need to Earn Honors
Academic honors are awarded based on cumulative GPA thresholds. Here is what letter grade combinations produce honor-eligible GPAs in a typical 15-credit semester (five 3-credit courses). See Cum Laude GPA, Magna Cum Laude GPA, and Summa Cum Laude GPA for full threshold details by institution.
- •3× A- + 2× B+ (QP = 51.0, GPA = 3.40) — just below
- •3× A- + 1× B+ + 1× A (QP = 52.1, GPA = 3.47)
- •3× A + 1× B + 1× B- (QP = 54.7, GPA = 3.65) — above
- •4× A- + 1× B+ (QP = 55.1, GPA = 3.67) — just below
- •4× A- + 1× A (QP = 56.8, GPA = 3.79) — above
- •3× A + 2× A- (QP = 59.4, GPA = 3.96)
- •4× A + 1× A- (QP = 59.7, GPA = 3.98) — achievable
- •3× A + 1× A- + 1× B+ (QP = 57.9, GPA = 3.86) — close
- •5× A (QP = 60.0, GPA = 4.00) — maximum
Common Letter Grade to GPA Questions — Quick Reference
4.0 GPA (93–96%). Contributes 12 quality points per 3-credit course. Dean's List eligible. Same GPA as A+ on standard 4.0 scale.
3.7 GPA (90–92%). Contributes 11.1 quality points per 3-credit course. Strong academic record — Dean's List territory at many schools.
3.3 GPA (87–89%). Contributes 9.9 quality points per 3-credit course. Good standing, above average performance.
3.0 GPA (83–86%). Contributes 9 quality points per 3-credit course. Good standing — meets minimum for most graduate programs.
2.7 GPA (80–82%). Good standing but below competitive threshold for selective graduate programs.
2.0 GPA (73–76%). Contributes 6 quality points per 3-credit course. Satisfactory, meets graduation minimum. Concerning for graduate school.
1.0 GPA (63–66%). Contributes 3 quality points per 3-credit course. Passing but typically does not satisfy major requirements — may need to retake.
0.0 GPA (< 60%). Contributes 0 quality points — highly damaging since credits still count in denominator. Course must be retaken if required for degree.