German Grade Calculator
Estimate a German grade with the modified Bavarian formula. Enter the original scale’s best value, minimum passing value and your achieved result.
German Grade Calculation
Updates as you type. This estimate applies to passing results on a scale where higher points mean better performance.
Understanding German Grading Formula
This calculator uses the modified Bavarian formula to estimate a German grade from another grading scale. Use the original scale’s best achievable value and lowest passing value. These are not the highest and lowest scores in your class.
The Formula:
German Grade = 1 + 3 × (Maximum Points - Your Points) / (Maximum Points - Minimum Points)
This formula takes into account the range of possible points and your position within that range to determine your grade. The closer you are to the maximum points, the better your grade will be.
German Grade Scale Explained
Grade Ranges:
- 1.0 - 1.5Very Good (Sehr gut)
- 1.6 - 2.5Good (Gut)
- 2.6 - 3.5Satisfactory (Befriedigend)
- 3.6 - 4.0Sufficient (Ausreichend)
- 4.1 - 5.0Insufficient (Ungenügend)
Important Notes:
- 1.0 is the best possible grade
- 4.0 is the minimum passing grade
- Grades above 4.0 indicate failure
- Decimal places (e.g., 1.3, 2.7) are commonly used
Quick Examples
Usage Tips
- Enter the minimum passing points for your exam
- Enter the maximum possible points
- Enter your actual achieved points
- Check that the receiving institution accepts this formula
- The displayed estimate and its description use one-decimal rounding; an institution may apply a different rule
Academic Context
TUM documents this method for converting recognized grades earned outside Germany. It is not a universal formula for marking exams.
Read the TUM formula note and the receiving institution’s current instructions before submitting an estimate.
Related Calculators
Keep exploring
The German Grade Calculation Formula, ExplainedUse the modified Bavarian formula with a documented best grade and passing threshold, follow two examples, and check the limits of the estimate.
The German Grading System Explained: Why Lower Is BetterGermany grades on a 1.0-5.0 scale where 1.0 is the best score and 5.0 is failing — the opposite of US GPA. Full meaning table and a worked conversion example.
Three inputs determine the estimate.
With a best grade of 100, passing grade of 50, and earned grade of 80, the modified Bavarian formula gives 1 + 3 × (100 − 80) ÷ (100 − 50) = 2.20.
The condition that changes the answer.
This form assumes the original scale increases with better performance. The best grade must exceed the passing grade.
Read the method guides ↗Make the result useful.
Use the original institution's documented passing threshold.