Key takeaway
A letter grade is assigned by comparing your percentage to a cutoff table (e.g. 90–100 = A, 80–89 = B). Cutoffs vary by school, and many use + / − bands (A− = 90–92). On the US 4.0 scale, A ≈ 4.0, B ≈ 3.0, etc. (see the [4-point-gpa-scale](https://azhanmh.com/blog/4-point-gpa-scale.html)).
Scope and assumptions
Letter-grade cutoffs are set by each institution. Confirm your exact table on the official syllabus. This site is informational and not official.
Short answer: A letter grade is assigned by comparing your percentage to a cutoff table (e.g. 90–100 = A, 80–89 = B). Cutoffs vary by school, and many use + / − bands (A− = 90–92). On the US 4.0 scale, A ≈ 4.0, B ≈ 3.0, etc. (see the 4-point-gpa-scale).
Quick navigation
- Overall grade → grade-percentage-formula
- GPA scale → 4-point-gpa-scale (B cluster)
- GPA conversion → gpa-to-percentage (B cluster)
- Hub → exam-percentage-hub
1. Common cutoff table
| % range | Letter | 4.0 points |
|---|---|---|
| 93–100 | A | 4.0 |
| 90–92 | A− | 3.7 |
| 87–89 | B+ | 3.3 |
| 83–86 | B | 3.0 |
| 80–82 | B− | 2.7 |
| 77–79 | C+ | 2.3 |
| 73–76 | C | 2.0 |
| 70–72 | C− | 1.7 |
| 67–69 | D+ | 1.3 |
| 63–66 | D | 1.0 |
| below 63 | F | 0.0 |
2. Schools differ
- Some skip − bands (A and A− both = A).
- Some shift boundaries (a B might start at 82, not 83).
- IB/AP courses may map differently.
Always use your school's published cutoffs.
3. Percentage ↔ letter ↔ GPA
A percentage converts to a letter via the table, and to GPA via the 4-point-gpa-scale — but because of bands, 90% could be A− (3.7), not a clean 4.0. The mapping is a range, not a point.
4. Common mistakes
- Using a generic table instead of your school's.
- Treating 90% as exactly 4.0 — often it's A− = 3.7.
- Confusing percentage cutoff with GPA — different scales.
- Rounding the % before assigning the letter.
5. Extended cutoff table (+ more bands)
| % range | Letter | 4.0 | % range | Letter | 4.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97–100 | A+ | 4.0 | 79–80 | B− | 2.7 |
| 93–96 | A | 4.0 | 77–78 | C+ | 2.3 |
| 90–92 | A− | 3.7 | 73–76 | C | 2.0 |
| 87–89 | B+ | 3.3 | 70–72 | C− | 1.7 |
| 83–86 | B | 3.0 | 67–69 | D+ | 1.3 |
| 80–82 | B− | 2.7 | 63–66 | D | 1.0 |
(Below 63 = F = 0.0; some schools skip +/−.)
6. Percentage ↔ letter ↔ GPA quick map
| % | Letter | GPA | % | Letter | GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95 | A | 4.0 | 78 | C+ | 2.3 |
| 90 | A− | 3.7 | 75 | C | 2.0 |
| 85 | B+ | 3.3 | 70 | C− | 1.7 |
| 80 | B− | 2.7 | 65 | D+ | 1.3 |
7. Borderline scenarios
- 89.4%: B+ (87–89), not A− — 0.6% below the A− line.
- 92.5%: A− (90–92) at many schools; A (93+) at schools that round or skip bands.
- 82%: B− (80–82) — 1% above the B line.
Always check your school's exact bands before claiming a letter.
8. Reading your syllabus vs a generic table
Generic cutoff tables like the one above are a useful starting point, but they are not authoritative for your own record. Every school publishes its own bands in the course syllabus or the registrar's grading policy, and those are the numbers that actually decide your letter. Before you quote a grade, open the syllabus for the specific course and find the "Grading" section — it lists the exact percentage ranges for each letter and any +/− split. Pay attention to three things: where the A−/A boundary sits (90, 92, or 93?), whether B starts at 82 or 83, and whether the school uses +/− bands at all. An 89% is a B+ at most US schools but could be an A− where the A− band starts at 89. If you are checking a grade for a scholarship or admission cutoff, always use the institution's published table — a generic chart can be off by a full band and change your eligibility.
FAQ
Q: Is 89% a B+ or A−? Usually B+ (87–89); A− starts at 90 at most schools.
Q: What GPA is a B? 3.0 on the 4.0 scale.
Q: Do all schools use the same cutoffs? No — verify your school's table.
Q: Is 92% an A? Typically A− (90–92); A starts at 93.
Q: Can I convert % directly to GPA? Via the 4.0 mapping (see gpa-to-percentage).
Q: What letter is 75%? Usually C (73–76).
Q: Does a +/− affect college GPA? Yes — A− = 3.7 vs A = 4.0 changes the average.
Q: 95% — what letter? Usually A (93–100) or A+ at schools that use it.
Q: 80% — letter and GPA? B− (80–82), 2.7 on the 4.0 scale.
Q: My school's cutoffs differ — which table? Always your school's published bands; generic tables are a guide only.
Q: Can I convert % to GPA directly? Via the 4.0 mapping (see gpa-to-percentage).
Sources: NCES & CBSE grading references; NCES — letter-grade scales; NCES 4.0 scale.
Disclaimer: Letter-grade cutoffs are set by each institution. Confirm your exact table on the official syllabus. This site is informational and not official.
Sources and references
- NCES & CBSE grading referenceshttps://nces.ed.gov/
- NCES — letter-grade scaleshttps://nces.ed.gov/
- NCES 4.0 scalehttps://nces.ed.gov/