GPA Converter

4.3 GPA Scale Converter

Convert your GPA between 4.0 and 4.3 scales. Choose exact calculation if you have course-level data, or use the quick estimate.

How the 4.3 scale works

The 4.3 scale differs from 4.0 almost entirely in how A+ is treated: on 4.3 it earns 4.3 points (not capped at 4.0), while every other letter grade maps identically. Because of this fundamental difference, a simple proportional rescale is an approximation, not the true institutional method.

Mode A (exact) uses the formula: GPA4.3 = GPA4.0 + (0.3 × A+_credits ÷ total_credits), which accounts for the actual distribution of A+ grades.

Mode B (quick estimate) applies a proportional rescale and explicitly flags the result as an estimate.

How it works

Formulas and worked example

The exact method (when you know your A+ count)

If your school is on a 4.3 scale and you know how many credits you earned at A+, the exact GPA is:

GPA4.3 = GPA4.0 + (0.3 × A+_credits ÷ total_credits)

Why? The 0.3 is the extra boost A+ gives over A. If you earned half your credits at A+ and half elsewhere, that contributes 0.3 × 0.5 = 0.15 to your final GPA.

The proportional method (quick estimate)

If you don't have course-level data, a rough conversion is:

GPA4.3 ≈ GPA4.0 × (4.3 / 4.0)

This treats the GPA as a linear rescale and assumes an average distribution of A+ grades. Use it when you're comparing transcripts or checking admissions requirements, but check your school's registrar office for official conversions.

Worked example

Scenario: You have a 3.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale. You earned A+ in 10 courses (30 credits) and the rest in courses worth 90 credits total (120 credits).

GPA4.3 = 3.8 + (0.3 × 30 ÷ 120) GPA4.3 = 3.8 + (0.3 × 0.25) GPA4.3 = 3.8 + 0.075 GPA4.3 = 3.875

By contrast, the quick estimate would give: 3.8 × (4.3/4.0) = 3.8 × 1.075 = 4.085. Notice how different the results are: the exact method is more conservative because only 25% of your credits were A+.

For per-course calculations or to compute your exact GPA, see the full GPA calculator.

Reference

Full grade-point reference table

Letter grade 4.0-scale points 4.3-scale points 4.5-scale points
A+ 4.0 (capped) 4.3 4.5
A 4.0 4.0 4.0
A− 3.7 3.7 3.7
B+ 3.3 3.3 3.3
B 3.0 3.0 3.0
B− 2.7 2.7 2.7
C+ 2.3 2.3 2.3
C 2.0 2.0 2.0
C− 1.7 1.7 1.7
D+ 1.3 1.3 1.3
D 1.0 1.0 1.0
F 0.0 0.0 0.0

Note: Most institutions report GPA to two decimal places. The table above shows the standard mapping used in North American schools. Always check your own school's transcript key for the official scale used at your institution.

Context

Which schools use a 4.3 scale

The 4.3 scale is used by many Canadian universities and some US institutions to recognize and reward exceptional performance (A+). Instead of capping the highest grade at 4.0, they assign 4.3 points to an A+, pushing the maximum GPA above 4.0.

Canadian universities that use or have used a 4.3 scale include the University of Alberta, McGill University, and the University of Victoria, among others. Many Canadian high schools also use percentage-based systems (0–100) or letter grades that map to 4.3 or even 4.5 scales.

US schools vary widely: some use 4.0 with A+ capped at 4.0, others use 4.3 with A+ uncapped, and a few use 4.5 or even 5.0 scales. Some schools award bonus points for AP or honors courses, which can push GPAs above 4.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Bottom line: Check your school's transcript key or registrar website to see the official scale your GPA is reported on. Different institutions interpret and weight A+ differently, so a conversion is always an approximation unless your school publishes an official formula.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 4.3 GPA the same as a 4.0 GPA?
No. A 4.3 GPA is higher than a 4.0 GPA. The 4.3 scale tops out at 4.3 (for an A+), whereas the 4.0 scale caps at 4.0 (whether earned with an A or A+). So a 4.3 is an excellent GPA that exceeds the maximum on a standard 4.0 scale. If you earned a 4.3 on a 4.3-scale system, your equivalent GPA on a 4.0 scale would be 4.0 (the maximum), and you would need to provide context that your school rewards A+ with extra points.
How do colleges read a 4.3 scale GPA on my transcript?
Colleges are familiar with 4.3 scales, especially for Canadian and some US applications. When they see a GPA from a school that uses 4.3, they account for it in context. However, many US colleges report and compare GPAs on a 4.0 scale for standardization. If you're applying to a US school from a 4.3-scale system, the admissions office will either convert your GPA using your school's official conversion method or evaluate it in the context of your school's grading system. Always include your school's grading scale in your application materials so admissions counselors understand your GPA correctly.
What is a 90 percent on a 4.3 GPA scale?
Schools using a 4.3 scale are often also percentage-based (especially in Canada). A 90% is typically an A (sometimes A−, depending on the school), which is 4.0 on a 4.3 scale. An A+ (often 95% or higher) would be 4.3. The exact percent-to-letter mapping varies by school, so check your school's grading key. To convert a percentage to GPA, find your letter grade first, then look up its point value on the 4.3 scale.
Does every school give extra credit for an A+?
No. Schools using a 4.0 scale typically cap A+ at 4.0 (the same as a regular A). Only schools that explicitly use a 4.3, 4.5, or higher scale reserve extra points for A+. Some schools don't award A+ at all. Your school's transcript or grading policy will make clear whether A+ earns bonus points. If in doubt, ask your registrar office.
Can a GPA be higher than 4.3?
Yes, if your school uses a 4.5 scale (or higher) and you earn mostly A+ grades. Some schools award bonus points for AP, honors, or IB courses, which can push a cumulative GPA above 4.0 even on a 4.0 scale. A few schools use scales as high as 5.0. Check your school's grading policy to understand the maximum possible GPA at your institution.
How do I know which scale my school uses?
Check your transcript. Your GPA is printed on your official transcript alongside a note of which scale it is calculated on (e.g., "GPA 3.85/4.0" or "GPA 3.90/4.3"). If you can't find it on your transcript, contact your school's registrar office directly. They can also confirm how each letter grade maps to points and whether plus/minus grades are used.

Sources