Quick Answer
Chinese universities primarily report grades on a 100-point percentage scale, with 60 as the minimum passing mark. The qualitative descriptors used are: 优秀 (Excellent) = 90–100%, 良好 (Good) = 80–89%, 中等 (Average) = 70–79%, 及格 (Pass) = 60–69%, and 不及格 (Fail) = below 60%. Many institutions also provide a parallel 4.0 or 5.0 GPA on transcripts for international applications, though the specific conversion formulas vary by institution.
Critical distinction: China does not have a single national standardized GPA conversion system. Individual universities have significant autonomy in how they convert percentage scores to GPA. Some use a 4.0 scale (common for international transcripts), others use a 5.0 scale, and some use letter-grade systems with varying grade point values. The exact conversion boundaries vary between institutions — some use 85% as the “A” threshold while others use 90%. Students should consult their transcript or student handbook to confirm the exact conversion used at their institution.
No official China-to-US GPA conversion exists — US universities and credential evaluators like WES convert grades individually. In 2025, Peking University announced it would phase out GPA for its undergraduate students, moving instead to a letter-grade system without numerical GPA calculation, signaling a significant shift in Chinese higher education grading philosophy.
Chinese Grading Scale at a Glance
- Primary system: 100-point percentage scale — 100 is the maximum, 60 is the minimum passing mark
- Qualitative descriptors: 优秀 (Excellent) = 90–100%, 良好 (Good) = 80–89%, 中等 (Average) = 70–79%, 及格 (Pass) = 60–69%, 不及格 (Fail) = below 60%
- Parallel GPA systems: 4.0 scale (common for international transcripts) and 5.0 scale (used by some institutions)
- Institutional variations: Some universities use 85% as the A threshold, others use 90%
- 5.0 scale example: 100 = 5.0, 90–99 = 4.0–4.9, 80–89 = 3.0–3.9, 70–79 = 2.0–2.9, 60–69 = 1.0–1.9
- 4.0 scale example: 90–100 = 4.0, 80–89 = 3.0, 70–79 = 2.0, 60–69 = 1.0
- Peking University 2025 reform: Phasing out GPA in favor of letter grades, reflecting a shift away from numerical ranking
- No official conversion standard: WES and other evaluators convert based on institutional grading scales and academic rigor
4.0 and 5.0 GPA Systems
Institutional Variations
Grade Lookup Tool
Why No Single GPA Number
A Real US Conversion Example
WES Conversion
Reporting Your GPA
FAQs
Understanding the Chinese 100-Point Scale
Chinese universities use a 100-point percentage scale as the primary method of grading. Students are graded from 0 to 100, with 60 as the minimum passing mark. A score below 60 is a failing grade.
The most common qualitative descriptors used in Chinese higher education are:
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Percentage Range | Approx. US GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 优秀 | Yōuxiù | Excellent | 90 – 100% | 4.0 |
| 良好 | Liánghǎo | Good | 80 – 89% | 3.0 – 3.9 |
| 中等 | Zhōngděng | Average / Medium | 70 – 79% | 2.0 – 2.9 |
| 及格 | Jígé | Pass | 60 – 69% | 1.0 – 1.9 |
| 不及格 | Bùjígé | Fail | Below 60% | 0.0 |
Some institutions use a four-tier system (优秀, 良好, 及格, 不及格) without the 中等 tier, or use different percentage cutoffs — for example, 85% and above as excellent, 75–84% as good, and 60–74% as pass.
Good to know: Chinese academic culture is characterized by rigorous grading standards. Scores of 90 and above represent excellent performance, and it is relatively uncommon for large numbers of students to achieve scores in the 90+ range. A score of 85+ is generally considered strong performance.
4.0 and 5.0 GPA Systems in Chinese Universities
Many Chinese universities provide a parallel GPA on transcripts for international applications. However, there is no single national standard — different institutions use different GPA scales and conversion formulas.
1. The 5.0 GPA Scale
Some Chinese universities use a 5.0 scale where the grade point increases proportionally with the percentage score. A common 5.0 scale conversion table is:
| Percentage Score | Grade Point (5.0 Scale) | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 5.0 | Excellent |
| 90 – 99 | 4.0 – 4.9 | Excellent |
| 80 – 89 | 3.0 – 3.9 | Good |
| 70 – 79 | 2.0 – 2.9 | Average |
| 60 – 69 | 1.0 – 1.9 | Pass |
| Below 60 | 0.0 | Fail |
Source: Northeast University of Finance and Economics grading scale.
2. The 4.0 GPA Scale
Many Chinese universities use a 4.0 scale for international transcripts, similar to the US system. A common 4.0 conversion is:
| Percentage Score | Grade Point (4.0 Scale) | US Letter Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100% | 4.0 | A |
| 80 – 89% | 3.0 | B |
| 70 – 79% | 2.0 | C |
| 60 – 69% | 1.0 | D |
| Below 60% | 0.0 | F |
Source: Common US admissions practice reference.
3. Finer-Grained 4.0 Scales
Some institutions use finer-grained 4.0 scales with plus and minus grades. For example, the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) uses:
| Percentage | Grade | Grade Point |
|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100 | Excellent | 4.0 |
| 85 – 89 | Good | 3.4 – 3.8 |
| 70 – 84 | Good | 2.7 – 3.3 |
| 60 – 69 | Pass | 1.0 – 2.0 |
| Below 60 | Fail | 0.0 |
Source: University of Chinese Academy of Sciences grading scale.
📌 Important: Because China does not have a national standardized GPA conversion system, every university sets its own conversion boundaries. Always check your specific university’s grading policy on your transcript or student handbook. If your transcript shows both percentage and GPA, the GPA is generally the figure to use for international applications.
Institutional Variations
Chinese universities have significant autonomy in how they design and implement their grading frameworks. Here are some examples of institutional variations:
1. Hunan University of Technology and Business
Uses a 4.0 scale with the following conversion: A (92–100) = 4.0, A- (90–92) = 3.8, B+ (87–90) = 3.6, B (84–87) = 3.4, B- (80–84) = 3.0, C+ (77–80) = 2.8, C (74–77) = 2.6, C- (70–74) = 2.4, D+ (67–70) = 2.0, D (64–67) = 1.5, D- (60–64) = 1.0, F (below 60) = 0.
2. Yanshan University
Uses a 5.0 scale with a unique multi-period system. For the 2024 fall semester and after: A+ (97–100) = 4.5, A (93–96) = 4.3, A- (89–92) = 4.0, B+ (85–88) = 3.8, B (81–84) = 3.4, B- (77–80) = 3.0, C+ (73–76) = 2.6, C (69–72) = 2.2, C- (65–68) = 1.8, D (60–64) = 1.2, F (40–59) = 0.
3. Peking University’s 2025 Reform
In a significant shift, Peking University announced in July 2025 that it would phase out GPA for undergraduate students starting from the class of 2025. Course grades will be recorded using a letter-grade system (A, B, C, D, F) without conversion to GPA. The university stated this move aims to “reduce academic anxiety” and “encourage students to focus on learning rather than competing for numbers.” This represents a broader trend in Chinese higher education toward de-emphasizing numerical ranking.
China Grade Lookup Tool
This tool shows your grade’s Chinese descriptor and an approximate US GPA equivalent based on commonly accepted conversion standards. It does not generate an official GPA — see the sections below on why that number can’t be produced by a simple formula, and how to get an official conversion.
Why There’s No Single “Correct” US GPA Number
1. No National Standardized GPA System
China does not have a single national standardized GPA conversion system. Individual universities have significant autonomy in how they convert percentage scores to GPA. Some use a 4.0 scale, others use a 5.0 scale, and some use letter-grade systems with varying grade point values.
2. No Official China-to-US Conversion Authority
There is no official China-to-US GPA formula published by the Chinese Ministry of Education, the US Department of Education, or any bilateral agreement. The Ministry of Education provides guidelines for domestic grading but does not provide conversion to foreign systems.
3. Simple Formulas Are Misleading
A common mistake is trying to convert a Chinese percentage to US GPA using a simple formula like (Percentage ÷ 20) – 1 or (Percentage × 4) ÷ 100. These approaches do not account for the different grading cultures or the institutional variations in conversion practices. A 75% in one Chinese university might be a B (3.0) while at another it might be a C (2.0).
4. WES Re-evaluates Based on Multiple Factors
WES does not simply copy your university GPA. They re-evaluate based on academic rigor, grading scale, and institutional standards. WES also adjusts credit values for certain courses (e.g., reducing credits for physical education and introductory language courses) before calculating GPA.
Real US Conversion Examples
Different sources publish conversion charts for Chinese grades. Here are three examples — planning references only, not universal standards:
Example 1: Simple 4.0 Scale (Common Reference)
| Chinese Percentage | Descriptor | Planning US GPA |
|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100% | 优秀 (Excellent) | 4.0 |
| 80 – 89% | 良好 (Good) | 3.0 |
| 70 – 79% | 中等 (Average) | 2.0 |
| 60 – 69% | 及格 (Pass) | 1.0 |
| Below 60% | 不及格 (Fail) | 0.0 |
Source: Education Online (EOL.cn) China GPA conversion guide.
Example 2: WES-Style Conversion
| Chinese Percentage | WES US Grade | WES GPA |
|---|---|---|
| 85 – 100% | A | 4.0 |
| 75 – 84% | B | 3.0 |
| 60 – 74% | C | 2.0 |
| Below 60% | F | 0.0 |
Source: WES-style conversion reference (85%+ = A, 75–84% = B, 60–74% = C).
Example 3: Peking University Algorithm
A widely referenced conversion method is the “Peking University Algorithm,” which uses the formula: GPA = (Percentage ÷ 10) – 5, with the result capped at 4.0. This means 90% = 4.0, 80% = 3.0, 70% = 2.0, and 60% = 1.0. However, Peking University has since announced it will phase out GPA entirely from 2025, making this algorithm increasingly historical.
How WES Converts Chinese Grades
Most US universities, scholarship programs, and immigration processes that require a numeric GPA from a Chinese transcript point applicants to a NACES-accredited credential evaluation service, most commonly World Education Services (WES). WES evaluates Chinese credentials by converting each grade individually and weighting the results by credit hours to produce a final GPA.
Key point: WES does not simply copy your university GPA. They re-evaluate based on academic rigor, grading scale, and institutional standards. WES also adjusts credit values for certain courses — for example, reducing credits for physical education, introductory language courses, and political courses before calculating GPA.
- Report type: A “Course-by-Course” evaluation — not a basic “Document-by-Document” report — is what produces a converted GPA. Confirm which type your target program requires.
- WES uses the grading scale on your official transcript — whether 4.0, 5.0, or letter grades — and converts each grade individually.
- Institutional recognition: University accreditation and recognition status are primary criteria in WES evaluation.
- Credit adjustment: WES often reduces credits for non-academic courses (physical education, political courses) before calculating GPA.
- Cost and timeline change over time — check wes.org directly for current pricing rather than relying on a fixed figure.
- Apostille/authentication: China is a Hague Apostille Convention member, so Chinese academic documents can generally be apostilled if a program requires authenticated copies.
- The result from any pre-evaluation calculator, including the one on this page, is a planning estimate only — not an official evaluation.
How to Report Your Chinese GPA on US Applications
1. Report Your Original Grades First
Don’t self-convert to a 4.0 scale unless the application specifically asks for a US-equivalent GPA. Report your grades exactly as they appear on your transcript — including the grading scale used (percentage, 4.0 GPA, or 5.0 GPA).
2. Include Your Grading Scale Explanation
Chinese transcripts often include the grading scale key on the academic record. Include this key or the official grading scale explanation wherever the application allows supporting documents. Clearly indicate which system your institution uses (4.0, 5.0, or percentage) and note any conversion formula if available.
3. Get a Formal Evaluation If Required
Many US graduate programs and scholarships — including some competitive, merit-based ones — require a WES or equivalent NACES-member evaluation rather than a self-reported conversion. Submit sealed official transcripts and include grading scale documentation.
4. Don’t Round Up
If your evaluated GPA falls in a range, report the figure your evaluator actually gives you — not the top of the band.
Converting other grading systems? See these guides:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert my Chinese grade to a single, official US GPA number?
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What is the minimum passing grade in China?
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What GPA scales are used in China?
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Is Chinese GPA equal to US GPA?
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Should I convert my Chinese GPA myself for scholarship applications?
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What GPA do I need for graduate school in the US from China?
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Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education, GPA systems, and study-abroad guidance for international students.Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education — including GPA systems, scholarships, student financing, and study-abroad guidance — for students worldwide.