Official Conversion Tables
The following tables show the official interpretation of French grades (0–20 scale) to U.S. letter grades as determined by the Education Department at the Embassy of France in the United States. The conversion differs depending on the grade level to reflect the increasing academic rigor in upper secondary education.
Grades 6–9 (Included)
| French Score |
U.S. Letter Grade |
| 20 | A+ |
| 19 | A+ |
| 18.5 | A+ |
| 18 | A+ |
| 17.5 | A+ |
| 17 | A+ |
| 16.5 | A |
| 16 | A |
| 15.5 | A |
| 15 | A |
| 14.5 | A- |
| 14 | A- |
| 13.5 | B+ |
| 13 | B+ |
| 12.5 | B |
| 12 | B |
| 11.5 | B- |
| 11 | B- |
| 10.5 | B- |
| 10 | C+ |
| 9.5 | C+ |
| 9 | C |
| 8.5 | C |
| 8 | C- |
| 7.5 | C- |
| 7 | D+ |
| 6.5 | D |
| 6 | D- |
| 5.5 | F |
| 5 and under | F |
Grades 10–12
| French Score |
U.S. Letter Grade |
| 20 | A+ |
| 19 | A+ |
| 18.5 | A+ |
| 18 | A+ |
| 17.5 | A+ |
| 17 | A+ |
| 16.5 | A+ |
| 16 | A+ |
| 15.5 | A+ |
| 15 | A |
| 14.5 | A |
| 14 | A |
| 13.5 | A |
| 13 | A- |
| 12.5 | A- |
| 12 | A- |
| 11.5 | B+ |
| 11 | B+ |
| 10.5 | B |
| 10 | B |
| 9.5 | B- |
| 9 | B- |
| 8.5 | C+ |
| 8 | C |
| 7.5 | C |
| 7 | C- |
| 6.5 | D+ |
| 6 | D |
| 5.5 | D- |
| 5 and under | F |
Understanding the French Grading System (0–20)
The French grading system uses a numerical scale from 0 to 20, where 0 represents the lowest possible score and 20 represents theoretical perfection. This system has been in use since 1890 for the French baccalauréat exam and is employed throughout secondary schools and universities across France. A score of 10 out of 20 is generally considered the passing threshold, representing the minimum acceptable performance in most academic contexts. However, what constitutes a "good" grade differs significantly from more lenient grading systems used in other countries.
In practice, the French system is notably strict and conservative in its grade distribution. Scores between 16 and 20 are considered exceptional (très bien) and are rarely awarded, as achieving such marks requires near-perfect mastery of the subject matter. Grades of 14 to 15.9 are classified as "good" (bien) and represent strong performance, typically placing students in the top 10–20% of their class. The range of 12 to 13.9 is considered "fairly good" (assez bien), indicating above-average work, while 10 to 11.9 is "satisfactory" (passable)—a passing grade but with clear room for improvement. Anything below 10 is generally failing (insuffisant).
The strictness of French grading means that students and educators from other systems should avoid direct numerical comparisons. A score of 14/20, for example, represents very good academic achievement in the French context, not mediocre performance. Teachers rarely give perfect scores, viewing 20/20 as a theoretical ideal rather than a realistic target. This philosophical approach reflects an educational culture that emphasizes continuous improvement and critical evaluation rather than grade inflation. Context matters significantly, and the interpretation of French grades can vary slightly between institutions, academic levels, and subjects—particularly in humanities versus sciences.
Understanding the U.S. Letter Grade System
The United States predominantly uses a letter-based grading system ranging from A to F, where A represents excellent performance and F indicates failure. Most schools employ a five-letter structure (A, B, C, D, F), with the notable absence of the letter E to avoid historical confusion with "Excellent" designations used in earlier grading systems. Many institutions further refine this system by adding plus (+) and minus (−) modifiers to letters A through D, creating distinctions such as A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, and so on. The letter F, however, typically does not receive modifiers, as any F grade uniformly indicates failure.
Each letter grade corresponds to a general interpretation of student performance. An A signifies excellent or outstanding work, typically representing mastery of course material and exceptional achievement. A B indicates very good or above-average performance, showing strong understanding and competent application of concepts . A C is considered average or satisfactory, demonstrating acceptable but not exceptional grasp of the subject matter. A D represents below-average work that still meets minimum passing requirements, though it signals significant areas for improvement . Finally, an F denotes failing performance, meaning the student has not met the basic standards required to pass the course.
While letter grades are often associated with percentage ranges—such as A representing 90–100%, B representing 80–89%, and so forth—these cutoffs are not standardized nationally. Individual schools, districts, and even individual instructors may define their own grading scales and criteria. Some institutions use weighted systems for honors or advanced courses, and grading practices can vary considerably between K–12 education and higher education. This flexibility means that a letter grade from one school may not directly correspond to the same standards at another institution, making context essential when interpreting U.S. grades.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this converter determine the U.S. letter grade?
The converter uses the official interpretation tables published by the Education Department at the Embassy of France in the United States. It matches your French score to the highest listed threshold that is less than or equal to your input score. For example, a score of 14.49 uses the 14.0 threshold, while 14.50 uses the 14.5 threshold. This threshold-based method ensures accuracy according to official diplomatic standards.
Why are there different conversions for grades 6–9 and 10–12?
The Embassy of France recognizes that academic expectations and grading rigor increase as students progress through secondary education. The conversion tables reflect this difference: grades 10–12 have more generous interpretations (for instance, 15/20 becomes A+ in the upper band but only A in the lower band) to account for the stricter grading typically applied to older students preparing for university. This two-tiered system ensures fair representation of achievement across different educational stages.
What U.S. letter grade does a French score of 15/20 convert to?
For grades 6–9, a French score of 15/20 converts to an A. For grades 10–12, the same score of 15/20 converts to an A+. This difference reflects the recognition that achieving 15/20 in upper secondary levels represents exceptional performance given the increased academic rigor and stricter grading standards applied to students preparing for the baccalauréat and university admission.
What U.S. letter grade does a French score of 10/20 convert to?
For grades 6–9, a French score of 10/20 converts to a C+. For grades 10–12, 10/20 converts to a B. Although 10/20 represents the traditional passing threshold in the French system, the conversion to U.S. grades takes into account that French grading is considerably stricter than typical American standards. The higher conversion for grades 10–12 acknowledges the increased difficulty of achieving passing marks at that level.
Does the converter support decimal grades?
Yes, the converter fully supports decimal grades and accepts both dot (.) and comma (,) as decimal separators. You can enter scores like 14.5, 14,5, or even 14.75. The converter will match your input to the appropriate threshold in the official conversion table. If your score falls between two thresholds, it will use the lower threshold (e.g., 14.49 uses 14.0, while 14.50 uses 14.5).
What happens if I enter a score above 20 or below 0?
The converter will automatically clamp any out-of-range input to the valid 0–20 scale. If you enter a number greater than 20, it will be adjusted to 20; if you enter a negative number, it will be set to 0. The converter will display a visible warning message informing you that clamping occurred, along with the normalized score that was actually used for the conversion. This ensures you receive a valid result while maintaining transparency about any adjustments made.
Does this converter provide GPA values?
No, this converter specifically translates French grades to U.S. letter grades only, based on the official Embassy of France interpretation. It does not calculate GPA (Grade Point Average) values. Converting letter grades to GPA requires additional institutional policies, as different schools use different GPA scales (4.0, 4.3, 5.0 weighted, etc.), and the conversion can vary significantly. For GPA calculations, consult directly with the specific U.S. institution to which you are applying.
Will all U.S. schools interpret my French grades this way?
While this converter uses the official Embassy of France guidelines, individual U.S. colleges and universities may apply their own evaluation criteria when reviewing international transcripts. Some institutions employ specialized credential evaluation services or maintain internal policies that differ from the embassy standards. The conversions provided here serve as a reliable general reference and diplomatic standard, but you should always verify specific requirements with your target institution's admissions office or international student services.
How should I use this tool when preparing transcripts for U.S. applications?
This tool is best used as a preliminary reference to understand how your French grades may be interpreted in the U.S. context. When submitting official transcripts for college or university applications, always provide your original French transcript with the 0–20 grades intact. Many institutions require professional credential evaluation services (such as WES, ECE, or NACES members) to perform official conversions. You can reference the Embassy of France conversion guidelines in your application materials, but the final interpretation remains at the discretion of the admitting institution.
Why do French grades often appear lower than expected?
The French grading system is philosophically and practically stricter than many other national systems, including the U.S. system. French educators rarely award scores above 16/20, viewing 20/20 as a theoretical ideal rather than an achievable target. A score of 14–15/20 is considered "very good" and places students in the top tier of their class. This conservative approach means that numerically "lower" French grades often represent substantially higher levels of achievement than their numerical value might suggest to unfamiliar observers. The conversion tables account for this difference to ensure fair representation of student performance.
