Calculate your German grade equivalent
Convert your grade into the German grading system — free of charge and exactly according to the modified Bavarian formula of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education (KMK), the method used by uni-assist and most German universities.
Is your degree good enough to study in Germany?
Enter your grade, the best possible grade and the passing threshold of your grading system — the calculator determines your German equivalent grade on the scale from 1.0 (very good) to 4.0 (sufficient).
Not sure what to enter? Typical grading systems:
- 100-point system: best grade 100 · passing at approx. 50–60
- 10-point system (e.g. Russia, CIS): best grade 10 · passing at approx. 5
- 20-point system (e.g. France): best grade 20 · passing at approx. 10
- 4.0 GPA system (e.g. USA): best grade 4.0 · passing at approx. 2.0
- Reversed scales (best grade = lowest number): simply enter the best grade and passing threshold accordingly
How the modified Bavarian formula works
The legal basis is the KMK resolution of 15 March 1991, as amended on 18 November 2004 (“Agreement on determining the overall grade of foreign higher-education entrance qualifications”). The formula maps any foreign grading scale linearly onto the German system:
x = 1 + 3 · (Nmax − Nd) / (Nmax − Nmin)
- x
- the German equivalent grade
- Nmax
- best grade (upper anchor value) of the foreign grading system
- Nmin
- lowest passing grade (lower anchor value)
- Nd
- your achieved (average) grade
Important: the result is truncated, not rounded
Under the KMK resolution, the calculated grade is determined to one decimal place and is not rounded but truncated. So 2.25 becomes 2.2 (not 2.3) and 1.38 becomes 1.3. Many online calculators round incorrectly; ours follows the official rule exactly.
Worked example
You scored 75 out of 100 points, and the passing threshold is 50 points:
- x = 1 + 3 × (100 − 75) / (100 − 50)
- x = 1 + 3 × 25 / 50
- x = 1 + 1.5 = 2.5
Your German equivalent grade: 2.5 (“good”). Truncation example: 85 out of 100 with a passing threshold of 60 gives 2.125 — your equivalent grade is 2.1.
The German university grading system
In Germany, 1.0 is the best grade and 4.0 is the lowest passing grade. Your equivalent grade falls into these bands:
| Grade | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 – 1.5 | Sehr gut (very good) | An outstanding achievement |
| 1.6 – 2.5 | Gut (good) | An achievement considerably above average requirements |
| 2.6 – 3.5 | Befriedigend (satisfactory) | An achievement meeting average requirements |
| 3.6 – 4.0 | Ausreichend (sufficient) | An achievement that still meets the requirements despite its shortcomings |
| above 4.0 | Not passed | Not a passing achievement in the German system |
Typical grading systems compared
Example values computed with the modified Bavarian formula, truncated to one decimal place. You can find the official anchor values for your country in the anabin database of the ZAB or on your transcript:
| Grading system | Best grade | Passing threshold | Examples (your grade → German grade) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100-point system (many Arab and African countries) | 100 | 50 | 90 → 1.6 · 80 → 2.2 · 70 → 2.8 · 60 → 3.4 |
| GPA 4.0 (USA, Canada, Turkey) | 4.0 | 2.0 | 3.7 → 1.4 · 3.3 → 2.0 · 3.0 → 2.5 · 2.5 → 3.2 |
| 5-point system (Russia, CIS countries) | 5 | 3 | 5.0 → 1.0 · 4.5 → 1.7 · 4.0 → 2.5 · 3.5 → 3.2 |
| 20-point system (France, Iran, Morocco) | 20 | 10 | 18 → 1.6 · 16 → 2.2 · 14 → 2.8 · 12 → 3.4 |
| 100-point system (China) | 100 | 60 | 90 → 1.7 · 85 → 2.1 · 80 → 2.5 · 70 → 3.2 |
| Percentage system (India) | 100 | 40 | 85 → 1.7 · 75 → 2.2 · 65 → 2.7 · 55 → 3.2 |
| Percentage system (United Kingdom) | 100 | 40 | 70 (First) → 2.5 · 60 (2:1) → 3.0 · 50 (2:2) → 3.5 |
Note: the passing threshold differs by country, level of education and sometimes even by institution (India, for example: 33–50%). The anchor values of the ZAB (anabin) or the respective university are always decisive.
Where to find binding information
anabin (ZAB)
Official database of the Central Office for Foreign Education with the anchor values (best grade, passing threshold) for almost all countries and qualifications.
uni-assist
Calculates your official equivalent grade as part of the preliminary documentation (VPD) — many universities require the VPD before you apply.
KMK resolution
The “Agreement on determining the overall grade of foreign higher-education entrance qualifications” (15.03.1991, as amended 18.11.2004) — the legal basis of the formula.
Frequently asked questions about grade conversion
What is the modified Bavarian formula?+
A linear conversion formula established by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education (KMK) that maps foreign overall grades onto the German grading system (1.0 to 4.0). It is used by uni-assist, the ZAB and most German universities to evaluate foreign certificates.
Is the result rounded?+
No. Under the KMK resolution the grade is determined to one decimal place and is truncated, not rounded: 2.25 becomes 2.2 — not 2.3. Our calculator truncates exactly according to this official rule.
How do I know the best grade and passing threshold of my grading system?+
They are usually stated on your certificate or transcript (“grading scale”). The official anchor values per country and qualification are listed in the anabin database of the ZAB. Careful: the passing threshold can differ by level of education and institution.
Is the result binding?+
No — the calculator provides initial orientation. The binding calculation is done by the respective university or by uni-assist as part of the VPD. Some universities use their own conversion tables for certain countries, which may differ slightly.
What equivalent grade do I need for admission in Germany?+
It depends on the programme: open-admission programmes only require a pass, while restricted programmes (numerus clausus) rank by grade. Master’s programmes often require at least 2.5; scholarships usually better. We are happy to assess your chances individually.
What is a VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation)?+
An official document from uni-assist that verifies your certificates and calculates your German equivalent grade bindingly. Many universities require the VPD before you apply to them directly. Processing usually takes several weeks — plan for it.
Does the formula also work for reversed scales?+
Yes. For systems where the lowest number is the best grade (e.g. 1 = best grade, 5 = passing threshold), simply enter the values accordingly — the formula works in both directions, and our calculator supports it.