The standard letter grade scale
The scale this calculator uses — common across US schools, though not universal — is below. Some schools drop the +/− bands and use a plain 90/80/70/60 scale; if yours does, read the percentage and take the plain letter. See the letter grade scale page for both versions and GPA points.
| Letter | Percentage range | GPA points |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97–100 | 4.0 |
| A | 93–96 | 4.0 |
| A− | 90–92 | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87–89 | 3.3 |
| B | 83–86 | 3.0 |
| B− | 80–82 | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77–79 | 2.3 |
| C | 73–76 | 2.0 |
| C− | 70–72 | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67–69 | 1.3 |
| D | 63–66 | 1.0 |
| D− | 60–62 | 0.7 |
| F | below 60 | 0.0 |
Frequently asked questions
What percentage is a passing grade?
On the standard scale, 60% (a D−) is the lowest passing mark, and many schools and programmes set the bar higher — a C (73%) is a common minimum for a course to count toward a major. Your syllabus and student handbook are the authority, not any calculator.
My test was out of 37 points. Does the maths still work?
Yes — percentage is just earned ÷ possible × 100, whatever the denominator. Awkward totals are exactly why each point is worth an odd amount (about 2.7% per point out of 37), which the calculator shows.
What about extra credit?
If you earned more points than the stated total, the percentage goes above 100 and the letter stays an A+. Enter the numbers as they are; the calculator does not cap them.
How does this test grade affect my course grade?
That depends on the test's weight in the course. The weighted grade calculator combines this percentage with your other categories; the final grade calculator works backwards from a target.