Letter Grade Reference
C− GPA — passes the course,
fails the requirement.
A C− earns 1.7 quality points — technically passing, but below the 2.0 threshold that "C or better" course requirements demand. It's the grade that lets you move forward academically but often blocks you from using the credit where it counts. Use the calculator to see your cumulative GPA impact.
Browse all letter grades
Conditional credit
The grade that passes
but doesn't count
C− is one of the most misunderstood grades in US higher education because it appears to do the same thing a C does: it passes the course, earns credit hours, and appears on the transcript as a passing grade. But the standard course-level requirement in US universities is "C or better" — and C− falls below that bar.
The result: a student who earns C− in a prerequisite course will typically find that they cannot advance to the next course in the sequence using that grade. A student who earns C− in a required major course may not receive credit toward the major — even though the credit hours appear on their transcript and count in their GPA denominator.
The practical consequence: students who earn C− in multiple required courses may find themselves with enough credit hours to be considered a junior or senior on paper, but unable to graduate because required courses in the major haven't been satisfied. The credit sits in the transcript, the GPA takes the hit, but the requirement isn't met.
Retake strategy
When to retake
a C− course
If the C− course has a "C or better" minimum — either as a prerequisite for a subsequent course, or as a required course in your major — retaking it is not optional. You need to earn C (2.0) or better to fulfill the requirement, regardless of the C− credit sitting on your transcript.
Before retaking, check your institution's grade forgiveness or repeat policy. Many US colleges allow grade replacement — the new grade replaces the C− in GPA calculations, though both grades may appear on the transcript. This is the fastest path to both satisfying the requirement and recovering GPA points.
If grade replacement is not available (both grades averaged), retaking still satisfies the requirement once you reach C — but the GPA benefit is halved. In that case, additional strong grades in other courses may recover GPA more efficiently than the retake alone.
Common questions
C− GPA — FAQ
What is a C− in GPA?
1.7 quality points per credit on the 4.0 scale; 1.67 on the 4.33 scale. Approximately 70–72% — technically passing but below the "C or better" threshold used in most course requirements.
Does C− satisfy "C or better" requirements?
No. "C or better" means C (2.0) or higher. C− (1.7) falls below this threshold and does not satisfy major requirements, prerequisites, or transfer minimums that specify "C or better."
Does C− count toward graduation?
C− earns credit hours that count toward total credits. However, if the course requires "C or better" for major credit, those hours may not satisfy the requirement — you may need to retake the course.
How does C− affect academic standing?
A C− (1.7) is below the 2.0 academic standing floor. Multiple C− grades in a semester can pull cumulative GPA below 2.0, triggering academic probation even if all courses were technically passed.
What percentage is a C−?
Typically 70–72% at most US institutions, between D+ (67–69%) and C (73–76%).
How does C− affect cumulative GPA?
A 3-credit C− adds 5.1 QP. Adding C− to a 2.1/45-credit record: (94.5 + 5.1)/48 = 2.075. Use the calculator for exact numbers.
Does C− count for transfer credit?
Often for general elective credit, but usually not for specific major or requirement articulation that specifies "C or better." Verify with the receiving institution's transfer office.
Should I retake a C− course?
If it has a "C or better" minimum for a requirement, yes — you must retake to satisfy it. Check your institution's grade forgiveness policy; replacement of the C− in GPA calculations is often possible on retake.
What is the difference between C and C−?
C earns 2.0 pts and satisfies "C or better"; C− earns 1.7 pts and does not. That 0.3-point gap is the most consequential functional boundary in the grading system below the F/D line.
Sources
Grade standards
and references
GPA point values and grading policies are maintained by individual institutions and reported to NCES IPEDS. Course minimum grade requirements and prerequisite policies are set by each department and published in institutional course catalogs. Grade forgiveness and repeat policies are documented by institutional registrars. The College Scorecard provides institutional completion data.
Related reading: What GPA Puts You on Academic Probation? · How to Raise Your GPA · Can You Get Into College with a Low GPA?