GPA Calculator for Saudi Arabia
Calculate your GPA using Saudi Arabia's dual scale system (5.0 for public universities or 4.0 for technical/private). Supports KSU, KFUPM, KAU, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal, Alfaisal and other universities.
Saudi Arabia has a dual grading system. Most public universities use a 5.0 GPA scale, while technical and private institutions (like KFUPM, Alfaisal) use a 4.0 GPA scale. The system is standardized by the Ministry of Education through "Unified Regulations for Undergraduate Studies."
- Letter Grades: A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, F are the standard output on transcripts.
- Credit Hours: Courses are weighted by Credit Hours. A lecture is usually 2-3 hours; a lab is 1 hour.
- Pass Threshold: D (60%) for Undergraduates; C (70%) for Graduate programs.
- Unique F Grade Rule (5.0 scale): In the 5.0 system, an F often counts as 1.0 point, not 0. This is unique to Saudi Arabia's 5.0 scale.
- DN (Denial) Grade: Failed due to absence (missing >25% of classes). Counts as 1.00 or 0.00 points depending on university.
- Identify the Scale: Check if your university uses 5.0 (KSU, KAU, Imam) or 4.0 (KFUPM, Alfaisal).
- Convert Letter to Points: Use your university's grading table. Example: On 5.0 scale, A+ = 5.0, B = 4.0. On 4.0 scale, A+ = 4.0, B = 3.0.
- Calculate Quality Points (Per Course): Grade Points × Credit Hours = Quality Points for that course.
- Sum the Totals: Add up all Quality Points. Add up all Credit Hours attempted.
- Divide for GPA: Total Quality Points ÷ Total Credit Hours = GPA.
- Rounding: GPA is rounded to 2 decimal places (e.g., 3.50).
| Letter Grade | Percentage | Points (5.0) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 95 – 100 | 5.00 | Exceptional |
| A | 90 – 94 | 4.75 | Excellent |
| B+ | 85 – 89 | 4.50 | Superior |
| B | 80 – 84 | 4.00 | Very Good |
| C+ | 75 – 79 | 3.50 | Above Average |
| C | 70 – 74 | 3.00 | Good |
| D+ | 65 – 69 | 2.50 | High Pass |
| D | 60 – 64 | 2.00 | Pass |
| F | < 60 | 1.00 | Fail |
Important: In the 5.0 system, an F is assigned 1.0 point, not 0. This is a unique feature of the Saudi 5.0 system.
| Letter Grade | Percentage | Points (4.0) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 95 – 100 | 4.00 | Exceptional |
| A | 90 – 94 | 3.75 | Excellent |
| B+ | 85 – 89 | 3.50 | Superior |
| B | 80 – 84 | 3.00 | Very Good |
| C+ | 75 – 79 | 2.50 | Above Average |
| C | 70 – 74 | 2.00 | Good |
| D+ | 65 – 69 | 1.50 | High Pass |
| D | 60 – 64 | 1.00 | Pass |
| F | < 60 | 0.00 | Fail |
In the 4.0 system, an F is 0.00 points (standard American model).
| Course | Credits | Grade | Points (5.0) | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic Studies | 2 | A+ | 5.00 | 10.00 |
| Chemistry | 4 | C+ | 3.50 | 14.00 |
| Math | 3 | B | 4.00 | 12.00 |
| English | 3 | D | 2.00 | 6.00 |
| TOTALS | 12 | 42.00 | ||
5.0 Scale Classifications
| Classification | GPA Range (5.0) | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| First Class Honors | 4.75 – 5.00 | مرتبة الشرف الأولى |
| Second Class Honors | 4.25 – 4.74 | مرتبة الشرف الثانية |
| Excellent (Mumtaz) | 4.50 – 5.00 | ممتاز |
| Very Good (Jayyid Jiddan) | 3.75 – 4.49 | جيد جداً |
| Good (Jayyid) | 2.75 – 3.74 | جيد |
| Pass (Maqbool) | 2.00 – 2.74 | مقبول |
4.0 Scale Classifications
| Classification | GPA Range (4.0) |
|---|---|
| First Class Honors | 3.75 – 4.00 |
| Second Class Honors | 3.25 – 3.74 |
| Excellent | 3.60 – 4.00 |
| Very Good | 3.00 – 3.59 |
| Good | 2.20 – 2.99 |
| Pass | 1.60 – 2.19 |
If your attendance falls below 75% (missing >25% of classes), you receive a DN. In many 5.0 systems (like KSU), DN counts as 1.00 point (unlike an F which is also 1.00), but in others, it is treated exactly as an F. Check specific university policy.
If you fail (F), the F remains on the transcript and in the GPA calculation. When you retake the course, the new grade is also added to the GPA calculation. The old F is not removed. This makes recovering a GPA difficult. Some universities are piloting "grade replacement" rules, but strict averaging is the norm.
Students are dismissed if their Cumulative GPA stays below 2.00 (out of 5.0) or 1.00 (out of 4.0) for 3 consecutive semesters.
Must finish work within the next semester or it automatically turns to F.
Semester Work: 40-60% of the grade (Quizzes, Midterms, Lab). Final Exam: 40-60% of the grade (Mandatory final sit-down exam).
Do not simply multiply by 0.8. A 4.0/5.0 in Saudi is "Very Good" (B average). In the US, a 3.2/4.0 is B average. Professional credential evaluators like WES typically convert a Saudi 3.5-5.0 range to US "A" or "B" grades.
GPA 4.50+ (5.0 scale) ≈ First Class Honours, GPA 3.75-4.49 ≈ Upper Second (2:1), GPA 2.75-3.74 ≈ Lower Second (2:2).
If your Saudi university uses the 4.0 scale (KFUPM, Alfaisal), it is directly comparable to US GPA. A 3.5/4.0 in Saudi = 3.5/4.0 in US.
Students transferring from a 5.0 system (like KSU) to a 4.0 system (like KFUPM or US universities) often panic when they see their GPA "drop." A 3.75/5.00 looks lower than a 3.75/4.00, but they represent different performance tiers. Always check which denominator your university uses before comparing!
King Saud University (KSU)
Scale: 5.0 GPA
Public university using 5.0 scale. F = 1.00 point. Strict attendance policy (DN grade for >25% absence).
Visit WebsiteKing Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM)
Scale: 4.0 GPA
Technical university using American-style 4.0 scale. F = 0.00 point. Engineering-focused.
Visit WebsiteKing Abdulaziz University (KAU)
Scale: 5.0 GPA
Public university using 5.0 scale. Located in Jeddah.
Visit WebsiteImam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Scale: 5.0 GPA
Public university using 5.0 scale. F = 1.00 point.
Visit WebsiteConfidence Level: High
Basis: Official Ministry of Education regulations and institutional policies.