GPA Scale
What does your GPA actually mean? The standard 4.0 scale runs from 0.0 to 4.0. Here's every value, what letter grade it equals, and what it means in practice. Select any GPA to learn more.
How the 4.0 GPA Scale Works
The 4.0 scale is the standard grading system used by most U.S. colleges and universities. Each letter grade maps to a numerical value: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0.0. Most schools also use plus/minus modifiers — an A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, and so on.
Your GPA is calculated by multiplying each course's grade value by its credit hours, summing those quality points, and dividing by your total credit hours. A 4-credit course has more impact on your GPA than a 1-credit course with the same grade.
GPA Benchmarks Worth Knowing
| GPA | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | Perfect — straight A's |
| 3.7+ | Dean's List at most schools |
| 3.5+ | Competitive for most graduate programs |
| 3.0+ | Above average, good standing |
| 2.5–2.9 | Around national average, satisfactory standing |
| 2.0–2.4 | Below average, minimum satisfactory at most schools |
| Below 2.0 | Academic probation risk at most schools |
Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA
The 4.0 scale above is unweighted — every class counts the same regardless of difficulty. High school students often have a weighted GPA that goes above 4.0 because AP and Honors courses get a grade boost. College GPAs are almost always unweighted.
Ready to calculate your GPA? Use the College GPA Calculator — it handles both semester and cumulative GPA.
High school student? The High School GPA Calculator handles weighted and unweighted scales.
GPA scales and academic standing thresholds vary by institution. Always check with your school's registrar for official requirements.