A GCSE grade converter for 9–1 numbers and A*–G letters
This GCSE grade converter shows how the 9–1 numbers used in England compare with the old A*–G letters, and works out the average of the grades you enter. It is meant for parents, students, sixth-form and college admissions, and employers who still see both systems on CVs and certificates.
The conversion is only exact at three points, so the tool says plainly which rows are official anchors and which are approximate. It does not guess grade boundaries: the marks needed for each grade are set by the exam boards after every exam series.
How to use the GCSE Grade Converter (9–1 to Letters) & GCSE Score
- Pick a new grade from 9 to 1 (or U) to see its old-letter equivalent, or pick an old letter to see the new range.
- Type all your GCSE grades in the average box, separated by spaces or commas.
- Tick the double-weight box if you want English and maths (the first two grades) to count twice, as in Attainment 8.
- Read the average, the nearest whole grade and how many grades are at 4+, 5+ and 7+.
- Use the table at the bottom of the page for the full 9–1 mapping.
GCSE Grade Converter (9–1 to Letters) & GCSE Score features
Honest mapping
Ofqual’s three anchor points are marked; everything else is labelled approximate.
Both directions
Numbers to letters and letters to numbers.
Average grade
A plain mean, optionally with the first two grades counted double.
Pass counts
How many grades reach 4 (standard pass), 5 (strong pass) and 7.
How 9–1 compares with A*–G
When England’s GCSEs moved from A*–G to 9–1 (first awards in 2017), Ofqual set three alignment points: the bottom of grade 7 matches the bottom of the old grade A, the bottom of grade 4 matches the bottom of C, and the bottom of grade 1 matches the bottom of G. Grade 9 was created above A* and is given to roughly the top fifth of those who reach grade 7 or above. Because the new scale has nine grades and the old one had eight, the others do not map one-to-one.
| New grade | Roughly old grade | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Above A* | Approximate |
| 8 | A* (top of A*–A) | Approximate |
| 7 | A | Ofqual anchor |
| 6 | B (high B) | Approximate |
| 5 | Between B and C | Approximate |
| 4 | C | Ofqual anchor |
| 3 | D / E | Approximate |
| 2 | E / F | Approximate |
| 1 | G | Ofqual anchor |
Is there a GCSE GPA?
No official GCSE GPA exists. This tool’s “average” is simply the mean of the grade numbers, which you can use to compare your own results. It is not the DfE’s Attainment 8 score, which uses a fixed set of eight slots with English and maths counted twice. If you need a US-style GPA, the GPA calculator and CGPA to GPA converter explain how evaluators usually treat transcripts.
Where grade boundaries come from
Each exam board (AQA, Edexcel/Pearson, OCR, WJEC Eduqas and CCEA) publishes the raw-mark boundaries for each paper after every series, and they move from year to year. Always read the boundaries on your board’s website rather than rely on a generic table. Wales and Northern Ireland still use A*–G for many GCSEs.
After GCSEs
For sixth-form entry, colleges usually ask for grade 4 or 5 in English and maths and often grade 6–7 in subjects you will study further. For later qualifications, see the UCAS points calculator and the UK degree classification calculator.
GCSE Grade Converter (9–1 to Letters) & GCSE Score FAQ
What is a grade 4 in old GCSE grades?
A grade 4 matches the bottom of the old grade C. The Department for Education calls it a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
What is a grade 7 equivalent to?
The bottom of grade 7 matches the bottom of the old grade A.
How do GCSE grades numbers convert to letters?
9 is above A*, 8 about A*, 7 = A, 6 = B, 5 sits between B and C, 4 = C, 3 is D/E, 2 is E/F and 1 = G. Only 7, 4 and 1 are official anchor points.
Is there a GCSE GPA calculator?
There is no official GCSE GPA. This tool gives a plain average of your 9–1 grades, which is not an official score.
What are the grade boundaries?
They change every series and differ by exam board, so this tool does not list them. Check your board’s published boundaries.
Do these results apply in Wales and Northern Ireland?
Many GCSEs there still use A*–G, and some use different scales. The 9–1 system applies to GCSEs in England.