German grade converter.

Quick answer

The modified Bavarian formula is x = (Nmax - Nd) / (Nmax - Nmin) x 3 + 1, where Nmax is the best possible score, Nmin the lowest passing score and Nd your score. A top score gives 1.0 and the lowest pass gives 4.0. Example: 85 out of 100 with 60 to pass gives 2.125, which rounds to 2.0.

Worked example

Percentage scale, best 100, lowest pass 60, your score 85. x = (100 - 85) / (100 - 60) x 3 + 1 = 15 / 40 x 3 + 1 = 1.125 + 1 = 2.125. The nearest German grade step is 2.0. On a 4.0 GPA scale with 1.0 as the lowest pass, a 3.3 gives (4 - 3.3) / (4 - 1) x 3 + 1 = 1.7.

How it works

x = (Nmax - Nd) / (Nmax - Nmin) x 3 + 1. The result is rounded to the next German grade step: 1.0, 1.3, 1.7, 2.0, 2.3, 2.7, 3.0, 3.3, 3.7, 4.0. The source gives these rounding examples: 1.6 becomes 1.7 and 2.4 becomes 2.3, and when a value sits between two grades it is rounded to the better one (2.5 becomes 2.3, 1.15 becomes 1.0). This tool rounds to the nearest step and breaks a tie toward the better grade, which reproduces all four examples.

A score below the lowest passing score is reported as not passing instead of converted. Scales where a lower number is better work too: enter the best value as Nmax, for example 1 for best and 4 for the lowest pass.

Wikipedia describes this as the system used by most universities in North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, with a citation-needed tag on that claim, and notes that other methods exist. The tool uses the formula as stated; it does not know which method your target university applies.

Sources (each page opened 2026-10-08):

• Academic grading in Germany, Wikipedia (section on conversion of grades): the modified Bavarian formula, its variables and the rounding rules

FAQ

What is the modified Bavarian formula?

It converts a foreign grade to a German grade: x = (Nmax - Nd) / (Nmax - Nmin) x 3 + 1, with Nmax the best possible score, Nmin the lowest passing score and Nd your score.

What is the best and worst German grade?

On the university scale used here, 1.0 is the best and 4.0 is the lowest passing grade.

How do I convert a US GPA to a German grade?

Enter 4.0 as the best score, the lowest passing GPA of your school as the passing score (your school's lowest passing GPA) and your GPA as your score. Confirm the method with the university.

Will every German university use this formula?

No. The source says to contact the university to ask which method it uses.

How is the result rounded?

To the nearest German grade step. A value exactly between two steps goes to the better grade, so 2.5 becomes 2.3.