Australian ATAR to US GPA Converter
Applying to an American college from Australia? Convert your university grades (HD, D, C, P) into a standard US 4.0 GPA easily, and learn how US colleges evaluate the ATAR.
Australian to US Conversion Scale
| Australian Grade | Score Range | US Letter Equivalent | US GPA (4.0 Scale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Distinction (HD) | 85 - 100% | A | 4.0 |
| Distinction (D) | 75 - 84% | B+ | 3.3 |
| Credit (C) | 65 - 74% | B | 3.0 |
| Pass (P) | 50 - 64% | C | 2.0 |
| Fail (F/N) | 0 - 49% | F | 0.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know, based on what students are asking right now.
The ATAR is a percentile rank, not an absolute score, which makes it fundamentally different from a US GPA. Instead of a direct mathematical conversion, US admissions officers look at your ATAR to understand your rank (e.g., an ATAR of 90 means you are in the top 10% of students) and evaluate your subject grades individually.
Yes. In the Australian university system, a High Distinction (85-100%) is considered exceptional and universally translates to an 'A' grade or a 4.0 GPA in the United States.
Grading curves are entirely different between the two countries. In Australia, achieving an 80% is extremely difficult and highly praised (Distinction). In the US, an 80% is often a B- (2.7 GPA). Therefore, US admissions offices adjust Australian grades upward during the credential evaluation process.
An ATAR of 99 places you in the top 1% of your state. While there is no direct math formula, an ATAR of 99 would typically correlate to a student maintaining a nearly perfect unweighted 4.0 GPA in the US system.
An Australian Pass (typically 50-64%) is evaluated as a 'C' in the US system, which equals a 2.0 GPA. While 50% is a failing grade (F) in American high schools, the rigor of Australian exams means 50% is a solid passing benchmark.