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Grading scale: letter grades, percentages, and GPA points.
The most common US grading scale, plus minus/plus distinctions, passing thresholds by institution type, rounding policies, and international equivalents.
Updated 28 April 2026
Standard US grading scale
Specific cutoffs vary by institution. The table below shows the most widely used scale across US high schools and colleges. Some schools use whole letter grades only (A, B, C, D, F) without plus/minus distinctions.
| Letter | Percentage | GPA | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97-100% | 4.0 | Exceptional |
| A | 93-96% | 4.0 | Excellent |
| A- | 90-92% | 3.7 | Excellent |
| B+ | 87-89% | 3.3 | Very Good |
| B | 83-86% | 3.0 | Good |
| B- | 80-82% | 2.7 | Good |
| C+ | 77-79% | 2.3 | Above Average |
| C | 73-76% | 2.0 | Average |
| C- | 70-72% | 1.7 | Below Average |
| D+ | 67-69% | 1.3 | Poor |
| D | 63-66% | 1.0 | Poor |
| D- | 60-62% | 0.7 | Barely Passing |
| F | 0-59% | 0.0 | Failing |
Plus/minus vs whole letter
In a plus/minus system the range per letter is narrower (3 to 4 points), so your GPA more precisely reflects performance. In a whole-letter system, B covers everything from 80% to 89% and all those students get the same 3.0 GPA. Simpler but less granular.
Plus/minus
88% earns a B+ (3.3 GPA). 82% earns a B- (2.7 GPA). The 0.6 GPA gap accurately reflects the 6-point performance gap. Used by most colleges and many high schools.
Whole letter
Both 88% and 82% earn a B (3.0 GPA). Treats all performance within a letter range identically. Helps students at the bottom of a range; penalises those at the top.
What is a passing grade?
Passing thresholds vary by institution and whether the course counts toward your major or as an elective. The general rule: higher academic level, higher passing threshold.
| Institution type | Min passing | For major courses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| High school | D- (60%) | D- (60%) | Some districts require C (70%) for core courses |
| College (elective) | D (63%) | C (73%) | D earns credit but may not satisfy major requirements |
| College (major) | C (73%) | C (73%) | Most programs require C or higher in major courses |
| Graduate school | B (83%) | B (83%) | Below B may trigger academic probation |
Thresholds reflect commonly cited norms. Always check your institution's catalog and your program's major handbook for the policy that applies to you.
How schools round
Standard rounding
89.5% rounds to 90% (A-). 89.4% stays at B+. The most common approach: 0.5 and above rounds up. Some schools round to whole numbers, others to one decimal place.
Strict cutoffs
89.9% is still B+. Only 90.0% and above qualifies as A-. Common in STEM departments and competitive programs. Aim for at least 0.5% above each boundary as a buffer.
Discretion
Some professors round borderline grades based on attendance, participation, or improvement over the term. Not guaranteed. Check the syllabus for the stated policy and ask in advance, not after grades post.
International grading systems
Grading scales differ significantly across countries. A 70% in the UK system (First Class Honours) is exceptional. A 70% in the US system is a C-. Direct percentage-to-percentage comparisons mislead.
| Country | Top | Mid | Min pass | Fail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | A (90-100%) | B (80-89%) | D (60-69%) | F (below 60%) |
| United Kingdom | First (70%+) | 2:1 (60-69%) | Third (40-49%) | Fail (below 40%) |
| Canada | A (80-100%) | B (70-79%) | D (50-59%) | F (below 50%) |
| Australia | HD (85%+) | D (75-84%) | P (50-64%) | F (below 50%) |
Pass/fail and credit/no credit
Many colleges allow certain courses on a Pass/Fail (P/F) or Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) basis. You earn credit if you clear the passing threshold, but the grade does not affect your GPA. A Pass shows on the transcript but is excluded from the GPA calculation entirely.
When P/F helps: if you are taking a course outside your strength (a science major taking an art elective) and worried about a low grade dragging your GPA down. The trade-off is that a strong A also would not boost it.
When to avoid: most graduate programs and professional schools want letter grades in prerequisites. Taking organic chemistry P/F when applying to medical school sends the wrong signal. Major courses should almost always be taken for a letter grade, since many programs require it.