GCSE Grade Converter
Convert GCSE grades between the 9-1 numeric scale and the old A*-G letters using Ofqual's published anchor points, or turn a raw percentage into a grade.
What this grade means
Anchor point: the bottom of grade 7 matches the bottom of the old grade A.
Full 9–1 to A*–G alignment
| 9–1 | Old A*–G | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Above A* | Reserved for the very highest performers — fewer students get a 9 than used to get an A*. |
| 8 | Between A* and A | A high A* / low A in old money. |
| 7 | A | Anchor point: the bottom of grade 7 matches the bottom of the old grade A. |
| 6 | Between A and B | A high B. |
| 5 | Between B and C | A 'strong pass' — a low B or high C. |
| 4 | C | Anchor point: a 'standard pass', matching the bottom of the old grade C. |
| 3 | Between D and E | A low D or high E. |
| 2 | Between E and F | A low E or high F. |
| 1 | G | Anchor point: the bottom of grade 1 matches the bottom of the old grade G. |
| U | U | Ungraded — below the lowest reported grade. |
Only grades 7, 4 and 1 are true anchor points, published by Ofqual when the reformed GCSEs were introduced in England. The rows in between are approximate: the two scales have a different number of steps, so several old grades stretch across two new ones.
The 9–1 scale applies to GCSEs in England. Wales and Northern Ireland kept their own lettered systems (Northern Ireland uses A*–G with a C*), so this alignment does not transfer to them. Everything here is calculated in your browser and nothing you type is uploaded.
What is the GCSE Grade Converter?
GCSE grades 9 to 1 align to the old A* to G letters at three published anchor points: grade 7 matches an A, grade 4 matches a C and is the standard pass, and grade 1 matches a G. Grade 9 sits above the old A*.
- Two-way conversion between the 9-1 scale and the legacy A*-G letters
- Built on Ofqual's published anchor points at grades 7, 4 and 1
- Percentage-to-grade mode with fully editable boundaries and a reset button
- Plain-English note for every grade, including which alignments are approximate
- Full alignment table you can copy for a revision wall or a parents' evening
- Honest about grade 9 sitting above the old A* rather than equalling it
How to use the GCSE Grade Converter
- 1
Choose a conversion direction: 9-1 to letters, letters to 9-1, or percentage to grade.
- 2
Select the grade you hold, or enter the marks scored and the total available.
- 3
In percentage mode, replace the sample boundaries with the published ones for your subject.
- 4
Read the equivalent grade and the note explaining how exact that alignment is.
- 5
Use the full alignment table at the bottom to see every grade side by side.
About the GCSE Grade Converter
The ByteTools GCSE Grade Converter translates between the reformed 9–1 numeric grades used in England and the A*–G letters they replaced. It works in both directions and explains what each grade means, using the anchor points Ofqual published when the new scale was introduced rather than an invented one-to-one mapping.
Only three of those anchors are exact: the bottom of grade 7 matches the bottom of an A, grade 4 matches a C and is the standard pass, and grade 1 matches a G. Because the two scales have a different number of steps, the grades in between straddle two old letters, and the tool says so instead of pretending otherwise.
A third mode converts a raw mark into a 9–1 grade against boundaries you can edit. Real GCSE boundaries are set per subject, per tier and per exam series after examiners see how hard the paper was, so treat the defaults as illustrative. Everything runs locally in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
What is a grade 4 in GCSE equivalent to?
A grade 4 is the standard pass and aligns with the bottom of the old grade C. It is one of the three exact anchor points Ofqual published, so the equivalence is reliable rather than approximate.
Is a grade 9 the same as an A*?
No, a 9 is higher. The old A* was split across grades 8 and 9, and a 9 is deliberately harder to reach than an A* was, so fewer students achieve one. Treat a 9 as being above A* rather than equal to it.
What is the difference between a grade 4 and a grade 5?
A grade 4 is a standard pass and a grade 5 is a strong pass, sitting between the old C and B. Sixth forms, colleges and employers often ask for a 4 as a minimum but some courses specify a 5, particularly in English and maths.
What percentage do you need for a grade 7 in GCSE?
There is no fixed percentage. Grade boundaries are set after each exam series for every subject and tier separately, once examiners have seen how difficult the paper turned out to be, so the mark needed for a 7 moves from year to year.
Do Wales and Northern Ireland use 9 to 1?
No. The numeric scale applies to GCSEs in England. Wales and Northern Ireland kept lettered systems, with Northern Ireland using A*-G including a C*, so this alignment does not transfer to qualifications taken there.
Can I use this to predict my results?
Only loosely. The percentage mode uses whatever boundaries you type in, so it is a good revision estimate against past-paper boundaries but not a forecast. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere.
Related tools
Degree Classification Calculator
Work out your UK degree classification from module marks weighted by credits and year, with editable boundaries and borderline detection for a First or 2:1.
Grade Calculator
Add up assignments, quizzes and exams as points earned out of points possible to get your overall course percentage and letter grade instantly.
Test Score Calculator
Turn questions right or wrong into a percentage and a letter grade, and get a full grading chart showing the score for every number of mistakes.
ACT to SAT Score Converter
Convert between ACT and SAT scores using the official 2018 concordance tables, including section scores and the SAT range each ACT composite covers.
IELTS Band Score Calculator
Convert raw IELTS Listening and Reading scores out of 40 into band scores, then combine all four skills into your overall band with the correct rounding.