Indian students applying to U.S. universities often find GPA conversion confusing. India’s education system uses percentages or CGPA, while American schools use a 4.0 GPA scale. Without translation, an 80% from India can look average to an American evaluator, even though it’s considered excellent back home.
This guide explains how to convert Indian grades to the U.S. GPA format, how CBSE, ICSE, and university marks align, and includes an interactive calculator to help you find your equivalent GPA instantly.
How to Convert Indian Grades to a U.S. GPA
The simplest way to find your U.S.-equivalent GPA is by using the International GPA Calculator embedded below. It converts Indian grades—whether from CBSE, ICSE, State Boards, or university CGPAs—into the U.S. 4.0 GPA scale within seconds.
Steps to Use the Calculator
- Select Your Country – Choose India from the dropdown list.
- Select Grading System – Pick Secondary (High School) for CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards, or University Grading System for CGPA-based results.
- Select Your Grade – Choose your Indian grade or percentage (for example, A1, 85%, or 8.5 CGPA).
- View Your U.S. GPA Equivalent – Instantly see your converted GPA and academic standing on the 4.0 scale.
This tool provides a reliable estimate using widely accepted conversion standards. For official transcript evaluations, use credential agencies such as WES or ECE.
The Indian Grading System
India’s education system typically follows a percentage-based or letter grading system, depending on the educational level and the institution. The table below outlines the most common grading scales used in India:
| Grade | Percentage Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 90%–100% | Outstanding |
| A | 80%–89% | Excellent |
| B+ | 70%–79% | Very Good |
| B | 60%–69% | Good |
| C+ | 50%–59% | Average |
| C | 40%–49% | Pass |
| F | Below 40% | Fail |
How Grades Are Measured:
- High Schools: Most Indian high schools use a percentage-based system, with 33%–40% as the minimum passing mark.
- Colleges and Universities: Grading systems at the university level vary. Many institutions use:
- Percentage-based: With the first class, second class, and pass class distinctions.
- CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average): Out of 10 or 4, depending on the institution.
- Letter grades: Some universities adopt letter grades with plus or minus distinctions (e.g., A+, A, B+).
Classification of Degrees:
Many Indian universities classify degree performance into these categories:
- First Class with Distinction: 75% and above
- First Class: 60%–74%
- Second Class: 50%–59%
- Pass Class: 40%–49%
Variations Across Regions and Institutions:
- Central universities like Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University follow a percentage-based system.
- Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) use a GPA or CGPA scale.
- Some private institutions and autonomous colleges follow independent grading scales.
The US 4.0 GPA System
The U.S. grading system evaluates academic performance on a 4.0 scale, with numerical values assigned to letter grades. Here’s a breakdown of the system:
| Letter Grade | GPA Value | Percentage Range (Typical) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 90%–100% |
| B | 3.0 | 80%–89% |
| C | 2.0 | 70%–79% |
| D | 1.0 | 60%–69% |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% |
Unweighted vs. Weighted GPA:
- Unweighted GPA: The basic 4.0 scale without adjustments for course difficulty.
- Weighted GPA: Some U.S. high schools and colleges give extra weight to Honors or AP courses, raising the scale to 5.0 or higher.
Since most Indian universities don’t have weighted courses, you’ll likely convert to the unweighted GPA scale.
The Conversion Process
Follow these steps to convert your Indian grades to the U.S. 4.0 GPA system:
1. Gather Your Grades:
Collect your transcript from your Indian institution. Confirm whether it uses percentages, letter grades, or CGPA.
2. Match to U.S. Equivalents:
Use the table below to convert your Indian grades to the U.S. GPA scale:
| Indian Grade | Percentage Range | U.S. Letter Grade | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 90%–100% | A | 4.0 |
| A | 80%–89% | B | 3.0 |
| B+ | 70%–79% | C | 2.0 |
| B | 60%–69% | D | 1.0 |
| C+ | 50%–59% | D | 1.0 |
| C | 40%–49% | F | 0.0 |
| F | Below 40% | F | 0.0 |
3. Calculate Your GPA:
- Assign the U.S. GPA value to each course.
- Multiply each value by the course credit hours.
- Sum the results and divide by the total credit hours.
Example:
Suppose you have the following Indian grades over four courses:
| Grade | Percentage | U.S. GPA Value |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 92% | 4.0 |
| A | 85% | 3.0 |
| B+ | 75% | 2.0 |
| B | 65% | 1.0 |
Total GPA points = 4.0 + 3.0 + 2.0 + 1.0 = 10.0
Number of courses = 4
GPA = 10.0 ÷ 4 = 2.5
If using credits:
Assuming each course is 3 credits: (4.0 × 3) + (3.0 × 3) + (2.0 × 3) + (1.0 × 3) = 12 + 9 + 6 + 3 = 30
Total credits = 12
GPA = 30 ÷ 12 = 2.5
Disclaimer: This table provides approximate conversions. U.S. universities may use their own evaluation methods. Always check with your target schools for specific requirements or use a GPA Calculator for accuracy.
Common Questions Answered
Q: How accurate is this conversion table?
A: This is a general guide based on Indian and U.S. grading systems. U.S. universities may adjust based on their policies. Contact your target university for specific conversion details.
Q: What if my school uses CGPA instead of percentages?
A: If your school uses CGPA on a 10-point scale, you can convert it as follows:
- CGPA × 4 ÷ 10 = U.S. GPA
Example: 7.5 CGPA → 7.5 × 4 ÷ 10 = 3.0 GPA
Q: What’s a competitive GPA for U.S. universities?
A: A GPA above 3.0 (roughly 70% or higher in India) is considered competitive for most U.S. universities. For top-tier schools, aim for 3.5 or higher.
Q: How are high school grades handled?
A: If your high school uses percentages, you can directly convert using the table above.
Final Tips
- Focus on consistency—strong grades across subjects matter more than a single high score.
- If you have a lower GPA, highlight other aspects of your application (e.g., test scores, extracurriculars).
- Consider using a College GPA Calculator to verify your calculations.
Good luck with your applications!