GPA Scales Around the World: USA, UK, India, Cambodia & More
Published on May 14, 2026
If you're applying to universities abroad or comparing your grades with international students, understanding different GPA scales is essential. Every country has developed its own system for evaluating academic performance, and converting between them can be confusing.
US 4.0 Scale (Most Common)
The United States 4.0 scale is the most widely recognized GPA system globally. Most American colleges and high schools use this scale:
| Letter Grade | Percent Range | GPA Points |
|---|---|---|
| A+, A | 93-100% | 4.0 |
| A- | 90-92% | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87-89% | 3.3 |
| B | 83-86% | 3.0 |
| B- | 80-82% | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77-79% | 2.3 |
| C | 73-76% | 2.0 |
| C- | 70-72% | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67-69% | 1.3 |
| D | 65-66% | 1.0 |
| F | Below 65% | 0.0 |
United Kingdom: Degree Classification
The UK doesn't typically use GPA. Instead, they use degree classification for university degrees:
- First-Class Honours: 70% and above (equivalent to ~3.7-4.0 GPA)
- Upper Second-Class (2:1): 60-69% (equivalent to ~3.3-3.6 GPA)
- Lower Second-Class (2:2): 50-59% (equivalent to ~3.0-3.2 GPA)
- Third-Class: 40-49% (equivalent to ~2.0-2.9 GPA)
India: CGPA System
India primarily uses a 10-point CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) scale:
| CGPA | Percentage | US GPA (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| 10.0 | 95-100% | 4.0 |
| 9.0 | 85-94% | 3.7 |
| 8.0 | 75-84% | 3.3 |
| 7.0 | 65-74% | 3.0 |
| 6.0 | 55-64% | 2.5 |
Alternative Scales (4.3, 5.0, 100-point)
Some regions and institutions use different scales:
- 4.3 Scale: Used in some Asian universities (A+ = 4.3)
- 5.0 Scale: Common for weighted GPAs with AP/honors courses
- 100-point scale: Used in many Asian countries (China, Korea)
- 7-point scale: Used in some Australian universities
GPA Conversion Formulas
When applying to US schools from other systems, here are common conversion methods:
CGPA (10-point) to US GPA (4.0):
US GPA = (CGPA × 4) ÷ 10
Example: 8.5 CGPA = (8.5 × 4) ÷ 10 = 3.4 GPA
Percentage to US GPA (approximate):
US GPA = Percentage ÷ 25
Example: 85% = 85 ÷ 25 = 3.4 GPA
Cambodia's Grading System
Cambodian universities typically use a combination of percentage-based and letter grade systems, often aligning with international standards for student mobility:
- Many private institutions use the US 4.0 scale
- Public universities may use percentage (0-100%) with letter equivalents
- Some programs use a 4-point scale similar to the US system
International students from Cambodia should verify their institution's specific grading policy when applying to foreign universities, as conversion methods vary by receiving institution.
Key Takeaways for International Students
- Always check with your target institution for their preferred conversion method
- Many US universities have international admissions offices that handle conversions
- WES (World Education Services) provides official credential evaluations
- Include your original transcript alongside any converted GPA
Use Our Calculator for Any Scale
Our GPA calculator works with the standard 4.0 scale most commonly used. If you're converting from another system, first convert your grades to the US 4.0 equivalent, then enter them into our calculator for accurate results.