German Grade Calculator
Convert an Indian percentage, CGPA, or US GPA to the German grade on the 1.0 to 4.0 scale using the Modified Bavarian Formula, the method standardised by the KMK in 2004 and used by uni-assist and German public universities, including TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, and LMU Munich, to evaluate international applications.
Modified Bavarian Formula
German grade = 1 + 3 × (Nmax minus your grade) / (Nmax minus Nmin). Nmax is the best possible grade on your scale (for example 100, 10, or 4.0). Nmin is the minimum passing grade on your scale. The result is rounded to one decimal.
How German grades work
In Germany lower numbers are better. A 1.3 is stronger than a 1.7, and a 2.2 is better than a 2.5. The scale runs from 1.0 (best) to 4.0 (minimum pass), the opposite of the Indian percentage and GPA systems where higher is better.
German grade scale
- 1.0 to 1.5: Sehr gut (Excellent)
- 1.6 to 2.5: Gut (Good)
- 2.6 to 3.5: Befriedigend (Satisfactory)
- 3.6 to 4.0: Ausreichend (Sufficient, minimum pass)
- above 4.0: Nicht bestanden (Fail)
Indian percentage to German grade (approximate)
Based on a 40% minimum passing grade. These are approximate; final conversion is determined by your university or uni-assist.
- 90% and above: about 1.0 to 1.3 (Sehr gut)
- 80 to 89%: about 1.4 to 1.9 (Sehr gut / Gut)
- 70 to 79%: about 2.0 to 2.6 (Gut)
- 60 to 69%: about 2.7 to 3.3 (Befriedigend)
- 50 to 59%: about 3.4 to 3.9 (Ausreichend)
Frequently asked questions
Is a 4.0 a pass in Germany? Yes. A 4.0 is the minimum passing grade, called Ausreichend. Any grade between 1.0 and 4.0 is a pass; anything above 4.0 is a fail. Passing does not guarantee admission, as most programmes set their own minimum, typically between 2.5 and 3.5.
What grade do German Master's programmes expect? Most competitive programmes expect a German grade of 2.5 or better. Less competitive programmes and many universities of applied sciences may accept up to around 3.5.
Most German universities evaluate original transcripts. Use this conversion only when an institution or uni-assist requests it.