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C- GPA: what is an C- worth?

On the standard US 4.0 scale, an C- is worth 1.7 grade points (roughly 70–72%). Enter a percentage below to see its letter and GPA.

C- on the 4.0 scale

An C- maps to 1.7 grade points and a percentage of about 70–72%. Your GPA is the credit-weighted average of these points across all your courses.

Full letter-to-GPA table

LetterGPA points
A4.0
A-3.7
B+3.3
B3.0
B-2.7
C+2.3
C2.0
C-1.7
D+1.3
D1.0
D-0.7
F0.0

How an C- affects your GPA

One C- in a 3-credit course contributes 1.7 × 3 = 5.1 grade points. Combine all courses with the GPA calculator to see your overall GPA.

C- at 1.7: passing, but often not counting

The C- is the scale's trap grade: it earns credit hours, but a striking number of policies refuse to honour it. Many majors require C or better in courses that count toward the degree; most transfer agreements will not carry a C- to another school; and prerequisite chains frequently demand at least a flat C to enrol in the next course. So before filing a C- away as a pass, ask the only question that matters: does this specific course need to count?

If it does, plan the retake early — seats fill, and delaying pushes back every course downstream. Where grade-replacement policies exist, swapping a 1.7 for even a 3.0 moves your GPA more per credit than almost any new course can. If it does not need to count, spend your energy forward instead. Either way, treat the C- as information: it typically marks the boundary where cramming stopped covering for missed fundamentals.

Frequently asked questions

How many GPA points is an C-?

An C- is worth 1.7 grade points on the 4.0 scale.

What percentage is an C-?

Typically about 70–72%, 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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