A German grade calculator uses the modified Bavarian formula, German grade = 1 + 3 x (Nmax - Nd) / (Nmax - Nmin), so a CGPA of 8.2 out of 10 with a pass mark of 4.0 gives 1 + 3 x 1.8 / 6 = 1.90. On the German scale 1.0 is the best grade and 4.0 is the lowest pass.
The formula is endorsed by the KMK, the body of German education ministers, and is used by uni-assist and German universities. The figure that changes results most is the pass mark you enter, so this page explains how to choose it, gives CGPA and percentage tables, works through examples and shows the reverse conversion.
At a glance
Formula
1 + 3 x (Nmax - Nd) / (Nmax - Nmin)German scale
1.0 best, 4.0 lowest pass, above 4.0 failNmax
Best possible grade or mark (10 for CGPA, 100 for percentage)Nmin
Lowest pass mark of your own universityPercentage, pass 40
German grade = 1 + (100 - %) / 20Used by
uni-assist and German universities; endorsed by the KMK
German grade = 1 + 3 x (Nmax - Nd) / (Nmax - Nmin)
Nmax is the best possible grade in your system, Nmin the minimum pass, and Nd your own grade. All three must be on the same scale.
German grade calculator and the modified Bavarian formula
Germany grades from 1.0 (very good) to 4.0 (sufficient), and anything above 4.0 is a fail. Foreign grades are mapped onto this scale with the modified Bavarian formula. It places your grade between the best possible and the minimum pass of your own system and stretches that range onto 1.0 to 4.0.
If your grade equals the best possible, the result is 1.0. If it equals the pass mark, the result is 4.0. A grade below the pass mark gives a result above 4.0. Universities usually truncate or round the result to one decimal, and practice varies between them.
Some search for a German GPA calculator, a Bavarian GPA calculator or an Indian CGPA to German GPA calculator but the method behind all of them is this one formula. No separate Germany CGPA calculator exists for Indian students.
- Decide the scale: CGPA out of 10 or percentage out of 100.
- Enter the best possible value as Nmax.
- Find the minimum pass mark on your grade card or regulation and enter it as Nmin.
- Enter your own CGPA or percentage.
- Read the German grade; 4.0 or lower means a pass.
Filling the three boxes
Used as a German grade calculator from CGPA or as a German marks calculator for percentages it needs the same three inputs. The boxes are Best possible, Lowest pass and Your score. All three must be on the same scale. For a CGPA, use 10 as the best possible and your university's minimum passing grade point as the lowest pass. For a percentage, use 100 and the minimum pass percentage.
The result shows the German grade to one decimal with a label from very good to sufficient, and the working with two decimals so you can check it. The boxes start at 10 and 4, a common CGPA setup, so change the pass value if yours differs.
Choosing the right pass mark
The pass mark (Nmin) matters more than any other input. It must be your institution's actual minimum, and Indian universities differ: 35, 40 or 50 percent, or a grade point of 4 or 5. Using 40 percent for every Indian university is a common simplification, not a rule.
| University or scheme | Lowest pass grade | Grade point |
|---|---|---|
| VTU 2022 scheme | P (40 to 49 marks) | 4 |
| VTU 2018 scheme | E (40 to 44 marks) | 4 |
| Anna University R2021 | C (50 to 55 marks) | 5 |
| JNTUH R18 | C (40 to 49 marks) | 5 |
| GTU | DD (35 to 39 marks) | 4 |
Find yours on the back of the grade card or in the regulation. If the German university states which pass mark it uses for your institution, follow that.
Worked examples: CGPA, percentage and US GPA
CGPA 8.2, pass 4. 1 + 3 x (10 - 8.2) / (10 - 4) = 1 + 5.4 / 6 = 1.90.
Same CGPA, pass 5. 1 + 3 x 1.8 / 5 = 1 + 1.08 = 2.08. One point of difference in the pass mark moves the grade by almost 0.2.
72 percent with three pass marks. Pass 40: 1 + 3 x 28 / 60 = 2.40. Pass 35: 1 + 84 / 65 = 2.29. Pass 50: 1 + 84 / 50 = 2.68.
US GPA 3.4 on a 4.0 scale, lowest pass 1.0. 1 + 3 x (4 - 3.4) / (4 - 1) = 1 + 1.8 / 3 = 1.60. Check the lowest pass on your own transcript key before relying on this.
Indian CGPA to German grade table
Two columns for the two common pass grade points. Results are shown to two decimals; the German university may truncate or round them.
| CGPA | Pass 4 | Pass 5 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| 9.5 | 1.25 | 1.30 |
| 9 | 1.50 | 1.60 |
| 8.5 | 1.75 | 1.90 |
| 8.2 | 1.90 | 2.08 |
| 8 | 2.00 | 2.20 |
| 7.5 | 2.25 | 2.50 |
| 7 | 2.50 | 2.80 |
| 6.5 | 2.75 | 3.10 |
| 6 | 3.00 | 3.40 |
Percentage to German grade table
With a 40 percent pass mark the formula simplifies to 1 + (100 - percentage) / 20. Other pass marks give the columns on the right.
| Percentage | Pass 40 | Pass 35 | Pass 50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95 | 1.25 | 1.23 | 1.30 |
| 90 | 1.50 | 1.46 | 1.60 |
| 85 | 1.75 | 1.69 | 1.90 |
| 80 | 2.00 | 1.92 | 2.20 |
| 75 | 2.25 | 2.15 | 2.50 |
| 72 | 2.40 | 2.29 | 2.68 |
| 70 | 2.50 | 2.38 | 2.80 |
| 65 | 2.75 | 2.62 | 3.10 |
| 60 | 3.00 | 2.85 | 3.40 |
| 55 | 3.25 | 3.08 | 3.70 |
| 50 | 3.50 | 3.31 | 4.00 |
To get your percentage from a CGPA first, apply your university's conversion with our CGPA to percentage tool, or work with the CGPA directly as in the table above.
German grade to percentage or CGPA
Rearranging the formula gives the reverse. For a 40 percent pass mark, percentage = 100 - 20 x (German grade - 1), so a German 2.5 equals 70 percent and a 1.9 equals 82 percent.
For a CGPA with pass 4, CGPA = 10 - (German grade - 1) x 6 / 3, so a German 2.0 equals 8.0. Use this to see which Indian CGPA or percentage meets the German grade a programme asks for.
How uni-assist and German universities use it
When you apply through uni-assist or directly, the university converts your final grade with this formula using the values it accepts for your institution. The university's own calculation is the one that counts, so treat your figure as a guide for choosing programmes.
Send your transcripts and, where asked, your university's conversion certificate or a letter stating the pass mark. If you also apply to the US or Canada, the CGPA to GPA page covers the 4.0 scale.
Mistakes with the Bavarian formula
| Error | Effect | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Mixing scales, such as CGPA with 100 as best | Meaningless result | Keep all three values on one scale |
| Using 40 percent for every university | The grade can shift by a few tenths | Use your institution's real pass mark |
| Reading 1.0 as the lowest grade | Upside down meaning | Remember 1.0 is best in Germany |
| Using the best mark in your class as Nmax | Not the formula's definition | Use the best possible mark |
For a GPA from course grades, see the GPA calculator, and for a 4.0 estimate from a percentage, see percentage to GPA.
Questions students ask
How do I convert Indian CGPA to the German grade?
Use 1 + 3 x (10 - CGPA) / (10 - pass grade point). With CGPA 8.2 and pass 4, the result is 1.90.
What is 75 percent in the German grading system?
With a 40 percent pass mark, 1 + (100 - 75) / 20 = 2.25. With a 35 percent pass mark it is 2.15.
Which pass mark should I use for my Indian university?
The minimum pass printed on your grade card or in the regulation, such as 40 percent or grade point 4. If the German university states one for your institution, use that.
Is a German grade of 2.5 good?
It is in the good range (gut) on the 1.0 to 4.0 scale. Each programme sets its own minimum grade, so check the requirement of every one you apply to.
Does uni-assist use the Bavarian formula?
Yes, the modified Bavarian formula is the standard method used by uni-assist and German universities. They apply it with the values they accept for your institution.
Can I convert a German grade back to percentage?
Yes. With a 40 percent pass mark, percentage = 100 - 20 x (German grade - 1). A 2.0 equals 80 percent.