Why does UW use decimal grades instead of letter grades?

The University of Washington's decimal grading system (0.0 to 4.0 in 0.1 increments) provides more precision than letter grades with or without plus/minus. Instructors have 41 possible grade values compared to 12–13 in most plus/minus systems. This allows finer distinction between student performance within the same general letter grade range.

What is the minimum passing grade at the University of Washington?

The minimum passing grade at UW is 0.7 (D−). Any grade below 0.7 is recorded as 0.0 and treated as failing for GPA purposes. For most major requirements, a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) is required — earning a 1.5 (D+) in a major course technically passes the course but often doesn't satisfy the major requirement. Always check whether your courses have minimum grade requirements.

What GPA is needed for Dean's List at the University of Washington?

UW's Dean's List recognition typically requires a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Because UW uses annual rather than quarterly lists in some colleges, specific eligibility requirements (minimum credits, no incomplete grades, etc.) vary by college within UW. Check with your specific college for current Dean's List criteria.

How does UW's decimal GPA affect graduate school applications?

Graduate programs typically convert UW's decimal GPA to a standard 4.0 scale for comparison with applicants from other schools. A 3.7 at UW is equivalent to approximately an A−/B+ on traditional scales. When applying to graduate school, many programs note the institution's grading scale context. Some graduate schools specifically note they understand UW's grading system when reviewing applications.

How to Calculate Your University of Washington GPA: Quality Points and Scale

Learn how the University of Washington calculates GPA — UW's 4.0 scale with decimal grades (3.8, 3.6, 3.4, etc.), how credit hours determine grade weight, and key GPA thresholds.

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How the University of Washington Calculates GPA

The University of Washington uses a unique decimal grading scale that runs from 0.0 to 4.0, with grades assigned in 0.1 increments. This is more granular than the standard plus/minus system.

GPA = Total Grade Points / Total Credits Attempted

UW Decimal Grading Scale

Grade Range	Grade Points	Equivalent Letter
4.0	4.0	A
3.9	3.9	A
3.8	3.8	A−
3.7	3.7	A−
3.6	3.6	B+
3.5	3.5	B+
3.4	3.4	B+
3.3	3.3	B
3.2	3.2	B
3.1	3.1	B
3.0	3.0	B
2.9	2.9	B−
2.8	2.8	B−
2.7	2.7	B−
2.6	2.6	C+
2.5	2.5	C+
2.4	2.4	C+
2.3	2.3	C
2.2	2.2	C
2.1	2.1	C
2.0	2.0	C
1.9–1.7	1.7–1.9	C−
1.6–1.4	1.4–1.6	D+
1.3–0.8	0.8–1.3	D
0.7	0.7	D−
0.0	0.0	F

Instructors assign grades anywhere from 0.0 to 4.0 in 0.1 increments — a 3.7 is different from a 3.8 at UW, unlike most universities.

Worked Calculation Example

Course	Credits	Grade	Grade Points
MATH 124	5	3.7	5 × 3.7 = 18.5
CHEM 142	5	3.3	5 × 3.3 = 16.5
ENGL 131	5	3.8	5 × 3.8 = 19.0
HIST 101	5	4.0	5 × 4.0 = 20.0
Total	20		74.0

GPA = 74.0 / 20 = 3.70

Key GPA Thresholds at UW

Standing	GPA
Academic Probation	Below 2.0 cumulative
Good Standing	2.0+ cumulative
Minimum Graduation GPA	2.0 cumulative
Dean's List (Annual)	3.5 or higher
Graduation with Honors	Top 10% per major
Phi Beta Kappa	Typically 3.8+

Credit/No-Credit Grading at UW

UW courses can be taken Credit/No-Credit (CR/NC): - CR (Credit): Grade of 0.7 or above — no grade points added to GPA - NC (No Credit): Grade below 0.7 — no credit, no GPA impact - Limited credits per quarter and per degree program - Freshman/Sophomore years: max 5 CR/NC credits per quarter

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does UW use decimal grades instead of letter grades?: The University of Washington's decimal grading system (0.0 to 4.0 in 0.1 increments) provides more precision than letter grades with or without plus/minus. Instructors have 41 possible grade values compared to 12–13 in most plus/minus systems. This allows finer distinction between student performance within the same general letter grade range.
What is the minimum passing grade at the University of Washington?: The minimum passing grade at UW is 0.7 (D−). Any grade below 0.7 is recorded as 0.0 and treated as failing for GPA purposes. For most major requirements, a minimum grade of 2.0 (C) is required — earning a 1.5 (D+) in a major course technically passes the course but often doesn't satisfy the major requirement. Always check whether your courses have minimum grade requirements.
What GPA is needed for Dean's List at the University of Washington?: UW's Dean's List recognition typically requires a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Because UW uses annual rather than quarterly lists in some colleges, specific eligibility requirements (minimum credits, no incomplete grades, etc.) vary by college within UW. Check with your specific college for current Dean's List criteria.
How does UW's decimal GPA affect graduate school applications?: Graduate programs typically convert UW's decimal GPA to a standard 4.0 scale for comparison with applicants from other schools. A 3.7 at UW is equivalent to approximately an A−/B+ on traditional scales. When applying to graduate school, many programs note the institution's grading scale context. Some graduate schools specifically note they understand UW's grading system when reviewing applications.

Last updated 7/28/2026