Getting your international GPA ready for a US application can feel confusing.
“Is a 7.8 out of 10 equal to a 3.9 in the US?” is one of the most common questions international students ask.
The truth is, there is no single universal GPA conversion formula. US universities and credential evaluators consider your country’s grading system, course structure, and academic context.
In this guide, we explain how to convert international GPA to US GPA, country-by-country examples, and expert tips to avoid common conversion mistakes, so your profile is evaluated correctly.
Let’s turn those numbers into a US GPA that opens doors!
What Is the US GPA System?
The US grading system uses the 4.0 GPA scale, where –
| US Letter Grade | US Percentage | US GPA |
|---|---|---|
| A | 90 to 100% | 4.0 |
| A-/+ | 85 to 89% | 3.7 - 3.3 |
| B | 80 to 84% | 3.0 |
| C | 70 to 79% | 2.0 |
| D | 60 to 69% | 1.0 |
| F | Below 60% | 0 |
This scale is used by US universities, scholarships & credential evaluators!
Note: US institutions may recalculate GPA based on course difficulty, credit hours, and degree level.
How Does International GPA Conversion Work?
US universities or credential evaluators (WES, ECE, SpanTran, IEE) use –
- Course-by-course conversion
- Grade-to-grade mapping
- Credit-hour calculation
- Class/Division scaling
- Benchmarking based on country education systems
Each country has its own logic. This is why official credential evaluation agencies are often required for admissions and immigration purposes.
Below are the most accurate, updated conversion methods for international systems!
Convert International GPA to US GPA (Country-by-Country Examples)
Indian Percentage to US GPA
| CGPA | US GPA |
|---|---|
| 9.0 - 10 | 4.0 |
| 8.0 - 8.9 | 3.7 |
| 7.0 - 7.9 | 3.0 |
| 6.0 - 6.9 | 2.7 |
| Below 6 | Below 2.5 |
Example – A student with 7.8 CGPA = 3.0 GPA.
Bangladeshi Percentage to US GPA
| Bangladesh Grade | US GPA |
|---|---|
| 80 to 100% | 4.0 |
| 70 - 79% | 3.3 - 3.7 |
| 60 - 69% | 3.0 |
| 50 - 59% | 2.0 |
Example – 75% = 3.7 GPA
China 100-Point Scale Conversion
| China Score | US GPA |
|---|---|
| 90 - 100 | 4.0 |
| 80 - 89 | 3.0 - 3.7 |
| 70 - 79 | 2.0 - 2.7 |
| 60 - 69 | 1.0 - 1.7 |
| <60 | 0 |
Example – 83/100 = 3.3 GPA
Europe 20-Point System (France, Belgium)
| 20 Point Grade | US GPA |
|---|---|
| 16 - 20 | 4.0 |
| 14 - 15.9 | 3.7 |
| 12 - 13.9 | 3.0 |
| 10 - 11.9 | 2.0 |
| <10 | 0 |
UK Honours Degree Classification to US GPA
| UK Classification | US Equivalent | GPA |
|---|---|---|
| First Class | A | 3.7 - 4.0 |
| Upper Second(2:1) | B+ | 3.3 - 3.6 |
| Lower Second(2:2) | B | 3.0 |
| Third Class | C | 2.0 |
Example – 2:1 = 3.3 – 3.6 GPA
Philippines 5 - Point Scale Example
| Grade | US GPA |
|---|---|
| 1.0 | 4.0 |
| 1.25 | 3.9 |
| 1.5 | 3.7 |
| 1.75 | 3.3 |
| 2.0 | 3.0 |
| 2.5 | 2.5 |
| 3.0 | 2.0 |
| 5.0 | 0 |
Nigeria 5-Point CGPA
| Nigerian CGPA | US GPA |
|---|---|
| 4.5 - 5.0 | 4.0 |
| 3.5 - 4.49 | 3.3 - 3.7 |
| 2.5 - 3.49 | 2.7 - 3.0 |
| 1.5 - 2.49 | 2.0 |
| <1.5 | 0 |
Important Things to Know About GPA Conversion
1. There is no universal formula
Every evaluator (WES, ECE, IEE) uses a slightly different method.
2. US universities do NOT expect you to convert your GPA yourself
They do the official conversion after evaluation.
3. Your GPA does not convert directly by simple division
Wrong example – 75% ≠ 3.0 by dividing 75/25, Actual evaluation uses academic context.
Expert Tips For Students to Convert International GPA to US GPA
Tip 1 – Use WES iGPA Calculator (Free Tool)
This tool gives an estimated GPA for major countries.
Tip 2 – Apply course-by-course evaluation for graduate programs
Especially for MS, MBA, PhD.
Tip 3 – Your last 2 years matter more
Many US schools calculate upper division GPA.
Tip 4 – GPA is not everything
Universities also consider –
- SOP
- LOR
- Internships
- Projects
- Research
- Work experience
Tip 5 – USCIS & Visa Applications Need Official Evaluation
For H-1B, EB-2, EB-3, or study visas, GPA conversion alone is not enough. USCIS requires a professional credential evaluation to determine degree equivalency.
Before we Finish!
Converting your international GPA to the US 4.0 scale helps universities understand your academic performance, but it is only one part of your profile. Since grading systems vary worldwide, US institutions rely on professional evaluation methods, not simple formulas.
If you need an accurate, university-accepted credential evaluation, Document Evaluation provides trusted and professional services for education and immigration purposes.
(FAQ) How to Convert International GPA to US GPA
No GPA is just one factor,universities look at SOPs, projects, research & the overall profile.
Yes universities accept transcripts in percentage format & change them on their own.
Credential evaluators convert them like WES, ECE, IEE, SpanTran & Educational Perspectives.
No only evaluators or universities can provide an official conversion.
Countries like Canada, Europe, UK & Australia are the simplest because they fit well with US academic standards.
Many do but some universities accept internal evaluations or prefer ECE or SpanTran.
Some countries have grade expansion or different grading systems which can lower the GPA.