A- GPA: what is an A- worth?
On the standard US 4.0 scale, an A- is worth 3.7 grade points (roughly 90–92%). Enter a percentage below to see its letter and GPA.
A- on the 4.0 scale
An A- maps to 3.7 grade points and a percentage of about 90–92%. Your GPA is the credit-weighted average of these points across all your courses.
Full letter-to-GPA table
| Letter | GPA points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| D- | 0.7 |
| F | 0.0 |
How an A- affects your GPA
One A- in a 3-credit course contributes 3.7 × 3 = 11.1 grade points. Combine all courses with the GPA calculator to see your overall GPA.
The 3.7 line: why A- is the scholarship grade
A 3.7 is the number many dean's-list rules, merit-scholarship renewals and graduate-school 'strong applicant' bands are written around, which makes the A- the most consequential minus-grade on the scale. A student who mixes A-minuses with the occasional A sits comfortably in the 3.7–3.85 range; start mixing in B-pluses instead and the average slides toward 3.5 fast.
It cuts both ways. If you hold a 4.0, one A- in a 3-credit course drops a 30-credit year to about 3.97 — real, but survivable; do not burn yourself out defending perfection. If you are climbing, the A- is the efficient target: getting a course from 87 to 90 is usually about consistency on quizzes and homework, while getting from 90 to 93 demands near-flawless exams. Aim your effort where the 0.4-point jump from B+ (3.3) to A- (3.7) is on offer — it is the best exchange rate on the grade ladder.
Frequently asked questions
How many GPA points is an A-?
An A- is worth 3.7 grade points on the 4.0 scale.
What percentage is an A-?
Typically about 90–92%, though exact cut-offs vary by school.
How do I turn letter grades into a GPA?
Multiply each course’s points by its credits, sum, and divide by total credits — or use the GPA calculator.
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GPA Calculator · Grade Converter · International GPA Conversion · All grade tools