Germany Grade Conversion
Understand the German 1.0–5.0 grading scale and convert grades with the official Modified Bavarian Formula.
Percentage to US GPA
Conversions are approximate. For official applications, use a NACES evaluator such as WES.
German 1.0–5.0 scale
| Grade | Range | Approx. GPA |
|---|---|---|
| Sehr gut (Very good) | 1.0–1.5 | ≈ 4.0 |
| Gut (Good) | 1.6–2.5 | ≈ 3.3–3.7 |
| Befriedigend (Satisfactory) | 2.6–3.5 | ≈ 2.3–3.0 |
| Ausreichend (Sufficient) | 3.6–4.0 | ≈ 1.7–2.0 |
| Nicht ausreichend (Fail) | > 4.0 | 0 |
Conversion formulas
- Modified Bavarian Formula: German grade = 1 + 3 × (Nmax − Nd) ÷ (Nmax − Nmin), where Nmax = best achievable grade, Nmin = minimum passing grade, Nd = your grade.
Using the Modified Bavarian Formula
The formula maps your grade onto the German 1.0–5.0 scale relative to the maximum and minimum passing grades of your system. For a US 4.0 scale (Nmax = 4.0, Nmin = 1.0 pass), a 3.5 GPA gives 1 + 3 × (4.0 − 3.5) ÷ (4.0 − 1.0) = 1.5 — a “very good”. It is recognised by the German KMK and used by uni-assist.
Conversions are approximate and provided for guidance only. For official admissions, use a NACES credential evaluator such as WES and confirm with your institution.
Germany conversion FAQ
Is 1.0 a good grade in Germany?
Yes — 1.0 is the best possible grade (sehr gut / very good). The scale is inverted compared to the US.
What is the Modified Bavarian Formula?
A KMK-recognised method to convert a foreign grade to the German scale: 1 + 3 × (Nmax − Nd) ÷ (Nmax − Nmin).