About the GCSE Grade Converter (9-1 to A*-G)
This GCSE grade converter translates the numbered 9–1 grades used in England since 2017 into the old A*–G letter grades, and the other way round. Pick a grade to see its rough equivalent, whether it counts as a standard pass (4) or a strong pass (5), and how the two scales line up. You can also paste a whole set of results to count passes and work out an average grade.
It is for parents who sat letter-graded GCSEs, employers comparing applicants from different years, and students checking whether they meet a “grade C or above” requirement. The conversion follows the anchor points set by Ofqual, the exams regulator: the bottom of grade 7 lines up with the bottom of the old A, the bottom of grade 4 with the bottom of C, and the bottom of grade 1 with the bottom of G.
Because the 9–1 scale has more grades at the top and fewer in the middle, the match is approximate — a 5 sits across the old B/C boundary and an 8 across A*/A. Wales and Northern Ireland use their own grading arrangements, so treat this as an England-focused guide.
How to use the gcse grade converter (9-1 to a*-g)
- 1Choose whether you are converting a new 9–1 grade or an old letter grade.
- 2Pick the grade to see its approximate equivalent and pass level.
- 3Optionally paste a full set of 9–1 results separated by spaces or commas.
- 4Read the number of standard and strong passes and your average grade.
Formula and method
Ofqual designed the 9–1 scale around three anchor points so that standards would carry over: roughly the same proportion of students who used to get an A or above get a 7 or above, the same proportion who used to get a C or above get a 4 or above, and the same who got a G or above get a 1 or above. Grades in between are spread evenly, so the old A and A* band now spans three grades (7, 8, 9), B and C span three (4, 5, 6), and D to G span three (1, 2, 3).
The converter uses that alignment for single grades. For a set of grades it counts grades of 4 and above (the Department for Education’s standard pass) and 5 and above (strong pass), and averages the numbers, counting U as 0.
- 4
- Standard pass (equivalent to the bottom of the old C)
- 5
- Strong pass (used in school performance tables)
- 7
- Equivalent to the bottom of the old A
Worked examples
What is a grade 6 in old GCSEs?
A grade 6 is roughly a high B and counts as a strong pass. The example set 9, 8, 7, 7, 6, 6, 5, 4 has eight grades at 4 or above, seven at 5 or above, and an average of 52 ÷ 8 = 6.5.
Old grade C in the new system
Ofqual aligned the bottom of grade 4 with the bottom of the old C, so a C maps to a 4 (standard pass) or, if it was a high C, a 5 (strong pass). Most employers and colleges that asked for a C now ask for a 4.
Mixed set including a U
A 4 is the standard pass, equivalent to a C. In the set 7, 5, 4, 4, 3, 2, U there are four grades at 4+, two at 5+, and the average is 25 ÷ 7 = 3.57 with the U counted as 0.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 4 in GCSE?+
A grade 4 is a standard pass. Ofqual aligned the bottom of grade 4 with the bottom of the old grade C, so anywhere that asked for a C or above now usually asks for a 4 or above.
What is a 5 in GCSE?+
A 5 is a strong pass, sitting across the old high-C and low-B range. It is the measure the Department for Education uses in school performance tables for English and maths.
Is a 7 an A at GCSE?+
Yes, roughly. The bottom of grade 7 is aligned with the bottom of the old grade A, so a 7 is broadly an A, an 8 sits between A and A*, and a 9 is a high A*.
Is a grade 9 the same as an A*?+
Not exactly. Grade 9 was designed to be harder to reach than an A*, so fewer students get a 9 than used to get an A*. An 8 covers the lower part of the old A* band.
Do I need to resit if I get a 3 in English or maths?+
In England, students who have not achieved at least a grade 4 in English and maths by 16 must normally continue studying those subjects post-16. Those with a 3 are expected to work towards a GCSE resit.