Understanding the GPA Scale
The Grade Point Average (GPA) is a crucial metric that reflects your academic performance, whether you’re in high school or college. It can significantly impact your college admissions, scholarship eligibility, and even future job opportunities.
Each letter grade corresponds to a numeric value on the 4.0 GPA scale. When you use a cumulative GPA calculator, these values help determine your overall academic standing.
Standard GPA Scale & Grade Conversion Guide
Common GPA Conversions Chart
| Letter Grade | Percentage Range | GPA Scale |
| 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 | 65-66% | 1.0 |
| F | Below 65% | 0.0 |
From Percentages to GPA: How It Works
Most schools assign letter grades based on percentage scores. Here’s a breakdown of how your scores translate into letter grades, and eventually into GPA points:
Example:
Let’s say you earned 340 out of 380 total points across your assignments:
- Percentage = 340 ÷ 380 = 0.89 → 89%
- According to the scale, 89% = B+
- On the GPA scale, B+ = 3.3
NEB Letter Grading System
| Percentage | Grade Point | Letter Grade | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 and above | 4.0 | A+ | Outstanding |
| 80 to less than 90 | 3.6 | A | Excellent |
| 70 to less than 80 | 3.2 | B+ | Very Good |
| 60 to less than 70 | 2.8 | B | Good |
| 50 to less than 60 | 2.4 | C+ | Satisfactory |
| 40 to less than 50 | 2.0 | C | Acceptable |
| 35 to less than 40 | 1.6 | D | Basic |
| Less than 35 | – | NG | Not Graded |
VIT GPA Grading System
| Grade | Scale |
|---|---|
| S | 10.00 |
| A | 9.00 |
| B | 8.00 |
| C | 7.00 |
| D | 6.00 |
| E | 5.00 |
| F | 0.00 |
| N | 0.00 |
GPA Calculation Example
To determine your semester GPA, convert each letter grade to a point, then average them.
| Class | Grade | GPA Points |
|---|---|---|
| English | A | 4.0 |
| Algebra | B | 3.0 |
| Chemistry | B | 3.0 |
| World History | B | 3.0 |
| Art | A | 4.0 |
| Total GPA Points | — | 17.0 |
Average GPA = 17 ÷ 5 = 3.4
To compute your cumulative GPA, simply average your GPA across all semesters.
How AP and Honors Classes Affect GPA
Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses use a weighted GPA scale:
| Grade | Regular GPA | AP/Honors GPA |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| B | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| C | 2.0 | 3.0 |
So if you earn an A in an Honors class, you get 5.0 points instead of 4.0, boosting your GPA significantly.
College GPA: How It’s Calculated
College GPA uses credit hours for weighted calculation. Each class has a credit value (usually 3–4). Multiply the grade point by credit hours, then divide the total by the number of credit hours.
Example:
| Course | Grade | GPA Points | Credits | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | A | 4.0 | 3 | 12 |
| Biology | B | 3.0 | 4 | 12 |
| Creative Writing | A | 4.0 | 3 | 12 |
| Political Science | B | 3.0 | 3 | 9 |
| Total | — | — | 13 | 45 |
College GPA = 45 ÷ 13 = 3.46
Why Knowing Your GPA Matters
Whether you’re aiming for scholarships or applying to college, understanding how to calculate your GPA gives you the power to plan better. Tools like our free cumulative GPA calculator simplify the process, giving you instant results without any hassle.
Knowing the link between your percentage grades and GPA can help you estimate your progress and take steps to improve your academic performance over time.