What is a good GPA in the United States?

In the US 4.0 scale, a GPA of 3.0 (B average) is generally considered good. A GPA of 3.5 or above is excellent and earns academic honors (magna cum laude). A GPA of 3.7 or above often qualifies for summa cum laude honors at graduation.

How does the UK degree classification compare to US GPA?

A UK First Class Honours (≥70%) is roughly equivalent to a US GPA of 3.7–4.0. An Upper Second (2:1, 60–70%) corresponds to about 3.0–3.7 GPA. A Lower Second (2:2, 50–60%) is roughly 2.0–3.0 GPA. A Third Class (40–50%) is approximately 1.0–2.0 GPA.

Why is the German grading scale inverted?

In Germany, 1 is the best grade and 4 is the minimum passing grade (5 and 6 are failures). This is the opposite of the US/UK system. The scale (1–5 or 1–6) is used in schools, while universities use 1.0 to 4.0 for academic grades. A German grade of 1.0 is the highest distinction (sehr gut = very good).

GPA Calculator — US, UK, Germany & Australia Grade Systems Compared

GPA Calculator

Calculate your GPA on the American 4.0 scale and see how it translates to UK degree classification, German university grades, and Australian HD/Distinction grades.

Quick Answer

US GPA 3.7+ = UK First Class Honours (70%+) = German 1.0–1.5 = Australian High Distinction. US GPA 3.0 (B average) = UK 2:1 Upper Second = German 2.0–2.5 = Australian Credit (65–74%). Note: German grades are inverted — 1.0 is best, 5.0 is fail.

Grade Systems Around the World: A Complete Comparison

🇺🇸 United States — 4.0 GPA Scale

The US uses a 4.0-point scale where A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0. Plus/minus grades like A- (3.7) and B+ (3.3) are common. Honors distinctions:

Cum Laude: typically 3.5–3.69
Magna Cum Laude: 3.7–3.89
Summa Cum Laude: 3.9–4.0

🇬🇧 United Kingdom — Honours Classification

UK universities classify final degrees by percentage:

First Class Honours (1st): 70% and above
Upper Second Class (2:1): 60–69%
Lower Second Class (2:2): 50–59%
Third Class Honours (3rd): 40–49%
Fail: Below 40%

🇩🇪 Germany — Inverted 1–5 Scale

Germany uses an inverted numerical scale where lower numbers are better. Universities typically use 1.0 to 4.0 for individual courses and degree classifications:

US GPA	US Letter	🇬🇧 UK Class	🇩🇪 German	🇦🇺 Australia
4.0 – 3.7	A	First (1st)	1.0 – 1.5	High Distinction
3.6 – 3.0	A-/B+/B	Upper 2nd (2:1)	1.5 – 2.5	Distinction
2.9 – 2.5	B-/C+	Lower 2nd (2:2)	2.5 – 3.0	Credit
2.4 – 2.0	C	Third (3rd)	3.0 – 4.0	Pass
1.9 – 0.0	D/F	Fail	5.0 (Fail)	Fail