Convert your GPA, CGPA, or percentage to the German 1.0-5.0 scale using the Modified Bavarian Formula, the method used by uni-assist and German universities.
Best possible at your university (e.g. 10 for CGPA, 100 for percent, 4 for GPA)
Please enter the maximum grade.
Lowest passing grade (e.g. 4 for CGPA, 40 for percent, 2 for GPA)
Please enter the minimum passing grade.
Your overall CGPA, GPA, or percentage
Please enter your grade.
German Grade
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Classification
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This is an estimate for planning. German universities and uni-assist issue the legally binding conversion (the VPD). If your university’s exact maximum or minimum passing grade differs, your official result may vary slightly. Always check your target university’s admissions page.
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How the German Grade Calculator Works
The German grading system runs from 1.0 to 5.0, where 1.0 is the best grade and 4.0 is the minimum needed to pass. This is the inverse of the US GPA scale, where higher is better. To convert an international grade into this system, German universities use the Modified Bavarian Formula, standardized by Germany’s Conference of Education Ministers.
The Modified Bavarian Formula
The formula is: German Grade = 1 + 3 x (Maximum Grade – Your Grade) / (Maximum Grade – Minimum Passing Grade). You enter three values: the best possible grade at your university, the minimum passing grade, and your own grade. The result is your equivalent on the German 1.0 to 5.0 scale.
For example, an Indian CGPA of 8.5 on a 10-point scale, with a minimum passing grade of 4, converts as 1 + 3 x (10 – 8.5) / (10 – 4) = 1.75, which is a Gut (good) grade.
German Grade Bands
1.0 – 1.5 = Sehr gut (very good)
1.6 – 2.5 = Gut (good)
2.6 – 3.5 = Befriedigend (satisfactory)
3.6 – 4.0 = Ausreichend (sufficient)
Above 4.0 = Nicht bestanden (fail)
Next step: Not sure of your CGPA yet? Work it out first with the GPA to CGPA Calculator, then convert the result here.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a 10-point CGPA, enter 10 as the maximum grade and your minimum passing grade, usually 4 (check your transcript, as some universities use 5). Then enter your CGPA as your grade. For a percentage, enter 100 as the maximum and your passing percentage, often 40, as the minimum.
The German system is inverted compared to most others. A 1.0 is the best possible grade, like a perfect A, and 4.0 is the lowest passing grade. Anything above 4.0 is a fail. So a 1.7 is better than a 2.3. Think of it as a ranking where closer to 1.0 is stronger.
It varies by university and program. Many competitive Master’s programs in engineering, computer science, and business expect a converted grade of 2.5 or better. Top universities like TU Munich and RWTH Aachen often look for 2.0 or better. DAAD scholarships and merit awards frequently require 2.0 or better.
The Modified Bavarian Formula is the standard used by uni-assist and most German universities, and it adjusts for the gap between a passing grade and a perfect score. The linear scale simply maps your position between minimum and maximum straight onto the 1.0 to 5.0 range. Some Universities of Applied Sciences prefer the linear method. Use Bavarian unless your university specifically asks otherwise.
No. This calculator gives an accurate estimate using the official formula, but the legally binding conversion for your application is issued by uni-assist as a Vorpruefungsdokumentation (VPD), or by the university’s admissions office. Use this tool for planning and shortlisting universities, then submit your transcripts for the official conversion.