IB GPA Calculator
Your IB scores,
in US GPA terms.
Enter each IB subject score (1–7) and credit hours. See what your International Baccalaureate performance translates to on the US 4.0 GPA scale — the number US colleges actually use to compare applicants.
Step by step
How to use this
calculator
Enter credit hours based on what your target US university grants
Credit hours aren't universal — they vary by institution and subject. Check the registrar page at your target US school to find out how many credit hours each IB HL and SL subject earns there. Typically 3–4 for HL, 3 for SL.
Differentiate HL and SL subjects in the credit-hour field
US universities commonly credit HL subjects more generously than SL. A Biology HL at score 6 might earn 4 credits while Biology SL at the same score earns 3. The credit-weight difference affects your GPA meaningfully.
Calculate and see your US GPA equivalent
Click Calculate GPA to see your credit-weighted US GPA on the 4.0 scale, alongside your average IB score. Use this to understand how your IB performance reads to US admissions offices.
The conversion
IB scores to US GPA:
the conversion table
The IB uses a 7-point scale for each subject, where 7 is "Excellent" and 1 is "Very Poor." To convert these to a US GPA, each score maps to a grade-point value, and the weighted average across all subjects gives you the equivalent GPA.
The conversion table above is used by most US admissions offices and credit-transfer evaluators, though it isn't an official CollegeBoard standard — it's an approximation. Individual universities may use their own IB-to-GPA tables, so always confirm with your target institution.
IB grade descriptors
What each IB
score means
The IB uses six descriptors to define subject achievement. Understanding what each score represents helps you communicate your performance accurately in college applications and scholarship essays.
Score impact, calculated
How IB score improvements
move your US GPA
Starting point: 6 IB subjects, all at score 5 (B+, 3.3 GPA), each worth 3 credit hours. US GPA baseline: 3.30. These scenarios show what score changes actually produce.
Biology HL and Chemistry HL jump from "Good" to "Excellent"
Two subjects move from score 5 (3.3) to score 7 (4.0). Those two subjects each gain 0.7 GPA points × 3 credits = 2.1 additional quality points each. Total gain: 4.2 QP.
Biology moves from "Good" (5) to "Very Good" (6) — modest gain
One subject improves from 3.3 to 3.7 GPA equivalent (+0.4 × 3 credits = 1.2 additional QP). Small gain because it affects only 1 of 6 subjects in the weighted average.
Elective SL Art at score 3 ("Mediocre") drags the weighted average down
Adding a 7th subject at score 3 (2.0 GPA, 3cr) adds only 6.0 quality points but increases total credits from 18 to 21. The lower score dilutes the weighted average below baseline.
Keep exploring
Related calculators
and guides
Calculators
- A-Level GPA Calculator — convert UK A-Level grades to US GPA if you're considering A-Levels alongside IB
- GPA Projection Calculator — project your US GPA after crediting IB scores toward your university record
- College GPA Calculator — track your US university GPA once you begin coursework beyond transferred IB credit
Guides
- How IB classes affect GPA — how the IB diploma programme fits into US GPA calculations
- How international students' grades get converted for US applications — the credential evaluation process in full
- Weighted vs unweighted GPA — how IB HL compares to AP in the weighted GPA context
- GPA and college admissions — where your IB-converted GPA fits in the holistic review
Common questions
IB GPA Calculator FAQ
How do IB scores convert to US GPA?
IB 7 = 4.0, 6 = 3.7, 5 = 3.3, 4 = 3.0, 3 = 2.0, 2 = 1.0, 1 = 0.0. The calculator takes a credit-weighted average across all your subjects.
What is a good IB score for US colleges?
For competitive US universities, 6s and 7s in HL subjects are strong. A diploma total of 38+ (out of 45) typically maps to above a 3.7 GPA. Top-25 schools commonly admit students with totals of 40+.
Is IB 7 equivalent to an A in the US?
Yes. IB 7 represents outstanding achievement — equivalent to A/A+ (4.0 GPA). IB 6 maps to A− (3.7), and IB 5 to B+ (3.3).
What is the IB diploma total score?
The IB diploma uses a 45-point scale: 6 subjects scored 1–7 (42 points) plus up to 3 bonus points for Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. Minimum 24 to earn the diploma.
Should I enter HL and SL subjects differently?
Both HL and SL use the same 1–7 scale here. However, for credit-transfer purposes, enter the credit hours your target university grants — typically more for HL than SL.
Does the IB core (EE, TOK) affect this GPA?
No. The EE and TOK bonus points contribute to the 45-point diploma total but aren't on the 1–7 subject scale. This calculator doesn't include them.
What credit hours should I enter?
Enter the credit hours your target university grants for each IB subject (typically 3–4 for HL). For a simple unweighted average, enter the same number for every subject.
How does IB compare to AP for GPA purposes?
Both IB 7 and an AP A earn 4.0 GPA points in US terms — treated equivalently. The scales are different (IB 1–7, AP 1–5) but the top score in both maps to 4.0.
Is IB 5 a good score?
Yes. IB 5 (Good) converts to B+ (3.3 GPA) — satisfactory for most diploma requirements, though selective schools typically prefer 6s and 7s in core subjects.
Will US colleges accept the IB diploma?
Yes. The IB diploma is widely accepted as a high school credential. Students who earn it with high HL scores often receive college credit, allowing them to skip introductory courses.
Is this conversion official?
This conversion is commonly used by US admissions evaluators but isn't an official IB or CollegeBoard standard. Individual universities maintain their own IB-to-GPA tables. Treat this as an estimate for your own planning.
Sources
IB and grading
references
The IB grade descriptors and 45-point diploma scale are published by the International Baccalaureate Organization. IB credit-transfer policies by US universities are maintained by individual institutions — the College Board's AP credit policy database shows a comparable framework for AP. National GPA reporting standards are covered by NCES IPEDS. Credit-hour equivalencies for IB HL and SL subjects are institution-specific — check your target university's registrar for exact values.