How do you convert a percentage to a letter grade?
On the standard US scale: 90–100 = A, 80–89 = B, 70–79 = C, 60–69 = D, below 60 = F. With plus/minus: 87–89 = B+, 83–86 = B, 80–82 = B−, and the same pattern in each band. An 85.6% is a B, or a B+ if the school rounds 85.5+ up.
Standard US percentage-to-letter scale
| Percentage | Letter | GPA points |
|---|---|---|
| 93–100 | A | 4.0 (A− at 90–92 = 3.7) |
| 83–92 | B range | B+ 87–89 (3.3), B 83–86 (3.0), B− 80–82 (2.7) |
| 73–82 | C range | C+ 77–79 (2.3), C 73–76 (2.0), C− 70–72 (1.7) |
| 60–72 | D range | 1.0–1.7 depending on school |
| Below 60 | F | 0.0 |
How to read this table
- With 5 reference points in the "standard us percentage-to-letter scale" table, the fastest way to use this page is to find the closest row, take its letter, then stress-test it ±30% before you build a plan on it.
Context
Cutoffs are school policy, not law: some districts set A at 93, others at 90; some skip plus/minus entirely; a few use 7-point bands (93–100 A, 85–92 B). Graduate programs often set the failing line at 70 or even 80. The only authoritative table is the one in your student handbook or syllabus — use the standard scale for estimates, the school's for anything official.
What moves this number
Syllabus weighting scheme
The same scores produce different grades under category weights, points-based grading, and drop-lowest policies. The syllabus — not the raw scores — determines which formula applies.
Plus/minus and cutoff policy
Schools set their own letter-grade cutoffs (90 vs 93 for an A) and whether plus/minus exists. A 2-point cutoff difference moves a borderline grade by a full letter.
Credit-hour weighting
GPA is credit-weighted, so a 4-credit course moves the average twice as much as a 2-credit course with the same grade.
Methodology
The table shows the most common US 10-point scale with plus/minus subdivisions. Where schools differ, the difference is almost always in the A cutoff (90 vs 93) and whether D exists or everything below C is failing.
Assumptions and caveats
- Grading policies (weights, drops, curves, cutoffs) are set by each school — verify against the syllabus before acting on a computed grade.
- Letter-grade and GPA scales shown are the common US conventions, not a universal standard.
- This page was last reviewed on 2026-10-01. Ranges are updated as new data lands, so re-check before using them in a contract or a plan.
- Use these numbers as a starting range, not a guarantee — your own historical data always beats a benchmark.
Frequently asked questions
How do you convert a percentage to a letter grade?
On the standard US scale: 90–100 = A, 80–89 = B, 70–79 = C, 60–69 = D, below 60 = F. With plus/minus: 87–89 = B+, 83–86 = B, 80–82 = B−, and the same pattern in each band. An 85.6% is a B, or a B+ if the school rounds 85.5+ up.
Where do these numbers come from?
The table shows the most common US 10-point scale with plus/minus subdivisions. Where schools differ, the difference is almost always in the A cutoff (90 vs 93) and whether D exists or everything below C is failing.
How can I estimate my own number instead of using a benchmark?
Use the Letter Grade Projection Calculator on RevenueLab — it takes your own inputs and returns a figure specific to your setup, which is always more accurate than a published range.
Model your own numbers
- Letter Grade Projection Calculator
- Weighted Grade Calculator
- Final Grade Calculator
- Semester Grade Calculator
Related reading
More answers in this category
- How do you calculate a weighted grade when you have missing assignments?
- How do you calculate a weighted grade?
- How do you calculate what grade you need on the final exam?
- How do you calculate your grade from percentages?
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Last updated 2026-10-01.