4-Point Scale Explained
The most widely used grading scale in the United States and many international institutions. This comprehensive guide explains how the 4.0 grading scale works, how to calculate your GPA, and how it compares to other systems.
Calculation Formula
GPA = Σ(Grade Points × Credits) ÷ Σ(Credits)
Common In
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh
Example Calculation
Math (A = 4.0) × 3 credits = 12.0 + English (B+ = 3.3) × 4 credits = 13.2 → Total: 25.2 ÷ 7 credits = 3.6 GPA
Grade to Points Conversion
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Percentage Range | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 90-100% | Excellent |
| A- | 3.7 | 87-89% | Excellent |
| B+ | 3.3 | 83-86% | Very Good |
| B | 3.0 | 80-82% | Good |
| B- | 2.7 | 77-79% | Good |
| C+ | 2.3 | 73-76% | Satisfactory |
| C | 2.0 | 70-72% | Satisfactory |
| C- | 1.7 | 67-69% | Satisfactory |
| D+ | 1.3 | 63-66% | Poor |
| D | 1.0 | 60-62% | Poor |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% | Fail |
Try It Yourself
How to Calculate 4.0 GPA
Convert Grades to Points
Use your institution's grade conversion table to convert letter grades to grade points on the 4.0 scale.
Multiply by Credit Hours
For each course, multiply the grade points by the number of credit hours to get quality points.
Sum All Quality Points
Add up all quality points from all courses to get your total quality points.
Divide by Total Credits
Divide total quality points by total credit hours to get your final GPA on the 4.0 scale.