September 14, 2026 · 3 min read
Converting a GPA to a percentage isn't a straight multiplication. The two scales start in different places, so the same GPA can look like different percentages depending on which pass line you assume. This table uses the most common pairing: the US 4.0 scale against a 60% pass line, which is what most Chinese and several other grading systems use.
GPA to percentage
| GPA | Percentage | Typical letter |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 73.3% | C |
| 2.1 | 74.7% | C |
| 2.2 | 76.0% | C |
| 2.3 | 77.3% | C+ |
| 2.4 | 78.7% | C+ |
| 2.5 | 80.0% | C+ |
| 2.6 | 81.3% | C+ |
| 2.7 | 82.7% | B- |
| 2.8 | 84.0% | B- |
| 2.9 | 85.3% | B- |
| 3.0 | 86.7% | B |
| 3.1 | 88.0% | B |
| 3.2 | 89.3% | B |
| 3.3 | 90.7% | B+ |
| 3.4 | 92.0% | B+ |
| 3.5 | 93.3% | B+ |
| 3.6 | 94.7% | B+ |
| 3.7 | 96.0% | A |
| 3.8 | 97.3% | A |
| 3.9 | 98.7% | A |
| 4.0 | 100.0% | A |
Percentage to GPA
Going the other direction, for the scores people ask about most:
| Percentage | GPA |
|---|---|
| 60% | 1.0 |
| 65% | 1.4 |
| 70% | 1.8 |
| 75% | 2.1 |
| 80% | 2.5 |
| 85% | 2.9 |
| 90% | 3.3 |
| 95% | 3.6 |
| 100% | 4.0 |
Why the numbers aren't what you'd guess
If you divide 85 by 25 you get 3.4. This table says 85% is about a 2.9. Neither is wrong, they just assume different things.
Dividing by 25 treats 0% as the bottom of the scale. But nobody passes with a 0%. Under a 60% pass line, the usable range runs from 60 to 100, and a US GPA runs from 1.0 to 4.0. Mapping one range onto the other is what produces these numbers.
The pass line is the part people miss. A UK university passes at 40%, so a UK 70% is a First Class. A Chinese university passes at 60%, so a 70% there is a C. Same number, different meaning, because "failing" starts in a different place.
Which one should you put on an application?
If a form asks for a GPA and your transcript is in percentages, convert using your own school's pass line rather than grabbing a number off a generic table. If your school passes at 60%, this table applies. If it passes at 40%, your numbers will come out lower and you should say so in a note.
For a specific set of courses and credits, the GPA calculator does the weighting as well, which matters if your courses carry different credit hours.
Converting a full transcript?
Enter your courses and credits, and the calculator handles the weighting across US, UK, ECTS, and percentage systems.
GPA Calculator →