How do you convert IB scores to US GPA?

IB 7 = 4.0 GPA (A), IB 6 = 4.0 GPA (A), IB 5 = 3.3 GPA (B+), IB 4 = 2.7 GPA (B-), IB 3 = 2.0 GPA (C), IB 2 = 1.0 GPA (D), IB 1 = 0.0 GPA (F). HL courses get +1.0 and SL courses get +0.5 on the weighted scale.

IB GPA Calculator

IB uses a 1–7 scoring scale. Enter each IB course with its score and level (HL = Higher Level, SL = Standard Level).

Course NameScoreLevel

IB Score → US GPA Reference

4.0

A+/A

4.0

3.3

B+

2.7

B-

2.0

1.0

0.0

IB → US GPA Equivalent

3.77

Average IB score: 5.8 / 7

HL Courses

SL Courses

Total Courses

How to Use This Calculator

Enter each IB course, select your score (1–7), and choose Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL). Your unweighted and weighted US GPA equivalents calculate instantly.

The Advanced calculator below adds semester-by-semester IB score tracking and diploma point projections. The Professional tier provides a full multi-year IB analysis with college credit estimates and scale comparison.

Advanced IB Score Analysis & Diploma Points HL/SL breakdown and diploma eligibility checker

Unweighted US GPA

3.767

Standard 4.0 scale

Weighted US GPA

4.517

HL+1.0 / SL+0.5

Course	Level	IB Score	US Letter	US GPA	Weighted
English Literature	HL	6	A	4.0	5.0
Mathematics	HL	5	B+	3.3	4.3
Chemistry	HL	5	B+	3.3	4.3
History	SL	6	A	4.0	4.5
French B	SL	6	A	4.0	4.5
Visual Arts	SL	6	A	4.0	4.5

IB Score to US GPA Conversion

IB 7 → A+/A → 4.0 GPA (Excellent)
IB 6 → A → 4.0 GPA (Very Good)
IB 5 → B+ → 3.3 GPA (Good)
IB 4 → B- → 2.7 GPA (Satisfactory)
IB 3 → C → 2.0 GPA (Mediocre)
IB 2 → D → 1.0 GPA (Poor)
IB 1 → F → 0.0 GPA (Very Poor)

Weighted Bonus: IB HL = +1.0 | IB SL = +0.5
Weighted GPA = Σ(GPA Equivalent + Bonus) ÷ Total Courses

Worked Example

3 HL and 3 SL courses:

HL English (7) → 4.0 + 1.0 = 5.0 weighted

HL Math (5) → 3.3 + 1.0 = 4.3 weighted

HL Chemistry (5) → 3.3 + 1.0 = 4.3 weighted

SL History (6) → 4.0 + 0.5 = 4.5 weighted

SL French (6) → 4.0 + 0.5 = 4.5 weighted

SL Visual Arts (6) → 4.0 + 0.5 = 4.5 weighted

Unweighted avg GPA = (4.0+3.3+3.3+4.0+4.0+4.0) ÷ 6 = 3.77

Weighted GPA = (5.0+4.3+4.3+4.5+4.5+4.5) ÷ 6 = 4.52

Total IB points = 7+5+5+6+6+6 = 35 (Diploma earned)

Professional Full IB GPA Profile Dashboard, college credit, conversion table & scale comparison

HL Bonus

SL Bonus

TOK/EE Points

Unweighted GPA

3.767

Weighted GPA

4.517

IB Total Points

36 / 45

Diploma Status

Earned

Course	Level	Score	US Letter	US GPA	Weighted
English Literature	HL	6	A	4.0	5.0
Mathematics	HL	5	B+	3.3	4.3
Chemistry	HL	5	B+	3.3	4.3
History	SL	6	A	4.0	4.5
French B	SL	6	A	4.0	4.5
Visual Arts	SL	6	A	4.0	4.5

IB Diploma Requirements

Take 6 courses: 3 Higher Level (HL) and 3 Standard Level (SL)
Score a minimum of 24 total points out of 42 possible (plus up to 3 bonus points from TOK and EE)
Score at least 12 points from HL courses
Not score a 1 in any subject
Pass the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essay and Extended Essay (EE)

Frequently Asked Questions

US colleges are familiar with the IB system and evaluate it positively. They recalculate your GPA on their own scale, similar to how they handle AP courses. Most colleges award college credit for HL scores of 5 or higher, with some requiring 6 or 7. An IB score of 5 is roughly equivalent to a B+ in a rigorous college-prep course.

Both are rigorous college-level programs, but they differ in structure. IB is a comprehensive two-year diploma program requiring six courses, TOK, an Extended Essay, and CAS hours. AP allows students to take individual courses without a coordinated program. Neither is universally harder — it depends on the subject and the student.

For competitive US universities, aim for a total IB score of 36–42 (out of 45). A score of 30–35 is solid and competitive at most universities. Elite US universities typically see applicants with scores of 38+. A perfect score of 45 is achieved by fewer than 1% of IB students worldwide.

Yes — students can take individual IB courses as "IB Certificate" courses without completing the full Diploma requirements. Certificate courses are assessed on the same 1–7 scale and can still earn college credit at many universities. However, the full IB Diploma is more prestigious and often unlocks more college credit.

Higher Level (HL) courses require at least 240 hours of instructional time and cover more advanced content. Standard Level (SL) courses require 150 hours. IB Diploma students must take exactly 3 HL and 3 SL courses. HL courses are more comparable to first-year college courses and more likely to earn college credit.