GPA Scale – 4.0 GPA Scale Chart

Latin Honors GPA Thresholds

Most US universities award Latin honors based on cumulative GPA. Exact cutoffs vary by institution.

Cum Laude

"With praise"

3.5 or higher

Magna Cum Laude

"With great praise"

3.7 or higher

Summa Cum Laude

"With highest praise"

3.9 or higher

What is the 4.0 GPA Scale?

The 4.0 scale is the standard grading system used across US colleges. Each letter grade maps to a numeric value from 0.0 (F) to 4.0 (A/A+), allowing a single number to represent your overall academic performance.

How are GPA Points Calculated?

Multiply each course's GPA value by its credit hours to get grade points. Divide total grade points by total credit hours. Example: an A (4.0) in a 3-credit course = 12 grade points.

Weighted vs Unweighted GPA

Unweighted GPA tops out at 4.0. Weighted GPA (common in high school) gives extra points for AP/Honors courses, allowing a scale up to 5.0. Most college admissions use unweighted GPA.

What is a Good GPA?

A 3.0 GPA is generally considered good. A 3.5+ is excellent and qualifies for most honor rolls. Below 2.0 risks academic probation at most schools. Graduate programs often require 3.0 or higher.

GPA Scale FAQs

At most US colleges, both A+ and A are worth 4.0 GPA points — so an A+ does not give you a higher GPA than an A. However, some high schools award A+ a value of 4.3 on a weighted scale.

An A grade typically requires 93–100%. An A- is usually 90–92%. Exact cutoffs can vary slightly between schools and professors, but the 4.0 scale chart above reflects the most common standard.

Yes — a D is worth 1.0 GPA points and most schools count it as passing (you get course credit). However, many major requirements need a C or higher. Check your institution's policies.

Most US colleges use the standard 4.0 scale, but exact letter-grade cutoffs can vary slightly. Some schools use a 4.3 scale (awarding A+ = 4.3). Always verify with your specific institution's grading policy.