Pass/Fail Grade Calculator — Free Instant Results
Grade Calculator

Pass/Fail Grade Calculator

Find out if you will pass or fail your course, see what score you need on remaining work, and compare the GPA impact of pass/fail versus a letter grade.

Current Grade
Pass/Fail Status
Min to Pass
Safety Margin

Pass/Fail Grade Calculator

Enter your current grade, how much of the course is complete, and your school’s passing threshold. Results update instantly as you type.

Your average on completed work
How much of the course is graded
Minimum grade to pass (usually 60%)
Credit hours for GPA comparison

Enter your current cumulative GPA and total credits to see how pass/fail compares to a letter grade.

Your GPA before this course
Credits completed so far

Your Results

0.0% N/A
0.0%
Current Grade
60%
Threshold
Min Score Needed
Safety Margin

Pass Thresholds

What-If Scenarios

If you score these percentages on remaining coursework, your projected final grade would be:

Grade Breakdown

What-If Projections

Threshold Map

You May Also Need

Final Grade Calculator

Find out what score you need on your final exam to reach the grade you want.

What Grade Do I Need

Calculate the exact score needed on upcoming assignments to hit your target grade.

Grade Calculator

Calculate your overall course grade from weighted category scores and averages.

Standard Grading Scale with Pass/Fail

LetterPercentageGPAPass/Fail
A+97 – 100%4.0Pass
A93 – 96%4.0Pass
A-90 – 92%3.7Pass
B+87 – 89%3.3Pass
B83 – 86%3.0Pass
B-80 – 82%2.7Pass
C+77 – 79%2.3Pass
C73 – 76%2.0Pass
C-70 – 72%1.7Pass
D+67 – 69%1.3Pass *
D63 – 66%1.0Pass *
D-60 – 62%0.7Pass *
FBelow 60%0.0Fail

* D-range grades count as Pass at most schools (threshold 60%), but some schools require C- (70%) or higher. Check your school’s policy.

How to Use the Pass/Fail Grade Calculator

Start by entering your current grade as a percentage based on all completed coursework. Next, enter the completed weight — the percentage of total coursework that has been graded so far. For example, if you have completed midterms and homework worth 60% of your final grade, enter 60.

Set the pass threshold to match your school’s requirement. Most colleges use 60% (D-), but some require 70% (C-) or higher. Enter the course credit hours to enable the GPA comparison feature. Results update instantly as you type — no button needed.

For a complete GPA breakdown across all your courses, use our GPA calculator. If you need to know what score to aim for on your final exam specifically, the final grade calculator handles that calculation.

How Pass/Fail Grading Works

Projected Grade = (Current Grade × Completed Weight + Future Score × Remaining Weight) / 100
Minimum to Pass = (Threshold × 100 – Current Grade × Completed Weight) / Remaining Weight

The calculator determines whether your final grade will meet the pass threshold. Here is a worked example:

Example: Sarah has a 72% in Sociology with 65% of the coursework completed. Her school requires 60% to pass.

Remaining Weight = 100 – 65 = 35%
Minimum to Pass = (60 × 100 – 72 × 65) / 35 = (6000 – 4680) / 35 = 1320 / 35 = 37.7%

Sarah only needs a 37.7% on her remaining work to pass. She is in a strong position.

The key insight is that a high current grade with significant coursework completed makes passing almost certain, even with a poor performance on remaining work. Use the what-if scenarios to see exactly where you stand. You can also check the weighted grade calculator if you need to break down your grade by assignment categories first, or explore our grading scale guide for reference.

When to Take a Class Pass/Fail (and When Not To)

The pass/fail option protects your GPA by removing the course from GPA calculation entirely — you earn credit but no quality points. This makes it ideal for electives outside your major where you expect a lower grade that would drag your GPA down. Use the GPA comparison section of this calculator to see the exact impact.

Avoid pass/fail for courses in your major, prerequisites for graduate programs, or any class where you expect an A or B. A strong letter grade boosts your GPA, while pass/fail leaves it unchanged. The break-even point is typically around your current cumulative GPA — if this course grade would be above your GPA, keep the letter grade. If below, consider pass/fail.

Track your cumulative GPA over time with the raise GPA calculator to see how each decision affects your long-term academic record. For students considering how pass/fail interacts with their broader academic plan, the college GPA calculator offers a comprehensive multi-semester view.

Pro Tip: Before choosing pass/fail, calculate your projected letter grade with the what grade do I need calculator. If you can realistically earn a grade above your current GPA, keep the letter grade. The GPA comparison in this calculator shows you the exact numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pass/fail mean in college?
Pass/fail (P/F) is a grading option where you receive a P (pass) or F (fail) instead of a letter grade. A P earns credit hours but does not factor into your GPA. A failing grade may or may not affect your GPA depending on your school’s policy. Most colleges set the passing threshold at 60% (D-) or 70% (C-).
Does pass/fail affect your GPA?
A passing grade (P) does not affect your GPA at all — the credits count toward graduation but carry no quality points. A failing grade (F) under pass/fail may or may not affect your GPA depending on your school. Some institutions record it as a zero, others exclude it entirely. Check your registrar’s policy.
What grade do you need to pass a pass/fail class?
Most colleges require at least a D- (60%) to earn a P in a pass/fail course. However, some schools set the threshold higher at C- (70%) or even C (73%). Graduate programs often require a B (83%) or higher. Enter your school’s specific threshold into this calculator to get accurate results.
When should I take a class pass/fail?
Consider pass/fail when the course is outside your major, you expect a grade that would lower your GPA, or you want to explore a challenging subject without GPA risk. Avoid pass/fail for major requirements, prerequisites, or classes where a strong letter grade would boost your GPA. Use this calculator’s GPA comparison to see the impact.
Can I switch from pass/fail back to a letter grade?
Most colleges allow switching between pass/fail and letter grade within a deadline, typically before the withdrawal date or a specific week in the semester. After the deadline passes, your grading option is locked. Check your academic calendar and registrar for exact dates at your school.
How does pass/fail affect financial aid and scholarships?
Pass/fail courses count toward full-time enrollment for financial aid purposes, but some scholarships require a minimum GPA calculated from letter grades only. Taking too many courses pass/fail may affect academic standing requirements. Check your scholarship terms and financial aid office before choosing pass/fail.
What happens if you fail a pass/fail course?
If you fail a P/F course, the result varies by school. Some record an F that counts in your GPA just like a regular F, while others record a No Pass (NP) that does not affect your GPA but appears on your transcript. Either way, you do not earn credit hours and may need to retake the course.
Is there a limit to how many classes you can take pass/fail?
Yes, most colleges limit pass/fail courses to 1–2 per semester and may cap the total across your degree. Common limits are 4–8 total P/F courses for a bachelor’s degree. Major and minor courses usually cannot be taken pass/fail. Check your school’s academic policies for specific limits.
Do graduate schools care about pass/fail grades?
Graduate admissions committees generally view occasional P/F courses as neutral, especially for electives or during unusual semesters. However, P/F in core courses or prerequisites for your intended program may raise questions. One or two P/F grades will not hurt you, but a pattern of avoiding letter grades could concern reviewers.
What is the difference between pass/fail and credit/no credit?
Pass/fail (P/F) and credit/no credit (CR/NC) work the same way at most schools — you earn credit without a GPA impact when you pass. The terminology varies by institution. Some schools use CR/NC with a higher passing threshold (C- instead of D-). The practical effect is identical: credit earned, no GPA change.