Short answer: for GCSE grades to letters, England's 9 to 1 scale sits beside the old A* to G in three bands: 9, 8 and 7 beside A* and A, 6, 5 and 4 beside B and C, and 3, 2 and 1 beside D, E, F and G. The two scales are not directly equivalent. They are comparable at three points only: the bottom of grade 7 with the bottom of an A, the bottom of grade 4 with the bottom of a C, and the bottom of grade 1 with the bottom of a G.
GCSEs in England have been graded 9 to 1 since 2017, with 9 the highest grade and 1 the lowest. So a 4 starts where a C used to start, and a 7 starts where an A used to start. Where an employer, college or university once asked for at least a C, the nearest equivalent is now at least a 4.
The three bands, side by side
Ofqual's guide on GOV.UK sets the two scales side by side in a table, and the DfE's diagram in the GCSE factsheet for parents from May 2019 shows the same three bands. The text of both names the comparable points at the bottom of each band.
| Number grades | Old letter grades beside them | Comparable point |
|---|---|---|
| 9, 8, 7 | A*, A | The bottom of 7 is comparable to the bottom of A |
| 6, 5, 4 | B, C | The bottom of 4 is comparable to the bottom of C |
| 3, 2, 1 | D, E, F, G | The bottom of 1 is comparable to the bottom of G |
| U | U | Ungraded on both scales |
The factsheet adds that, all things being equal, broadly the same share of students gets grades 1, 4 and 7 and above as would have got G, C and A and above under the old letters. Its diagram also marks grade 4 as the "Standard Pass".
What about grades 9, 8, 6, 5, 3 and 2?
Each sits in a band with one of the comparable points, but neither Ofqual's guide nor the factsheet gives it a single letter of its own:
- Grades 9 and 8 share the top band with 7, beside A* and A, above the bottom of the old A. Grade 9 is the highest grade, and the factsheet says it goes to fewer students than the old A* did.
- Grades 6 and 5 share the middle band with 4, beside B and C, between the bottom of the old C and the bottom of the old A.
- Grades 3 and 2 share the lower band with 1, beside D, E, F and G, between the bottom of the old G and the bottom of the old C.
A chart that gives one letter for every number goes further than these sources, so GradeCat does not make one up.
Is a grade 4 a pass?
Yes. The factsheet says the Department for Education recognises grade 4 and above as a "standard pass" in all subjects, a similar achievement to a C or above. Employers, universities and colleges still set the grades they ask for, so check each entry requirement. The old A* to G grades stay valid for future work and study, so an older certificate with letters still counts.
English and maths below grade 4
English and maths carry an extra rule. Ofqual's 2025 guide says that, under DfE policy, a student with grade 3 or below in maths or English, or in both, must be offered support to make progress in that subject if they continue into further education. The rule names English and maths only, not other subjects.
Why a grade has no fixed percentage
Searches such as "what percentage is a grade 4" have no single answer. Grade boundaries are set again each year for each paper, from data and examiners' judgment, so that a grade is no easier or harder to get in any year. Ofqual's 2018 guide for parents adds that exam boards use statistics when they set the boundaries, so that a student who would have got a C or above can expect a 4 or above. The marks for a grade change with each paper and year, so ask your school or exam board for the boundaries of your paper.
Combined science gives two grades
Combined science gives a double grade: two grades that are equal or next to each other, such as 9-9, 9-8 or 8-8, down to 1-1. It counts as two GCSEs when you apply for a job, sixth form or university. A 5-4, for example, is one GCSE at grade 5 and one at grade 4.
When the change happened
The new scale came in subject by subject. The May 2019 factsheet set out the timetable: English language, English literature and maths were first examined on it in 2017 and 20 more subjects in 2018, with 25 to follow in 2019 and a small number of languages in 2020. It said certificates from 2017 to 2019 could hold both letters and numbers, depending on the subjects taken, and that by 2020 all certificates would carry number grades only.
Made-up example: reading a set of results
Made-up example: a student in England gets these GCSE grades.
| Subject | Grade | What the grade tells you |
|---|---|---|
| English language | 7 | Top band, at or above the bottom of the old A, and a standard pass |
| English literature | 6 | Middle band, between the bottom of the old C and the bottom of the old A, and a standard pass |
| Maths | 4 | Middle band, at or above the bottom of the old C, and a standard pass |
| Combined science | 5-4 | Two GCSEs, at grade 5 and grade 4, both standard passes |
| History | 3 | Lower band, between the bottom of the old G and the bottom of the old C, under a standard pass |
| French | 8 | Top band, above the bottom of the old A, and a standard pass |
That is 7 GCSEs, because combined science counts as two. 6 of them are at grade 4 or above, and 2, English language and French, are at grade 7 or above. English and maths are both at grade 4 or above, and where a C was asked for in each, the nearest equivalent is a 4. History at grade 3 is under a standard pass, but the further education support rule covers English and maths only.
Wales and Northern Ireland
This guide is about England. Ofqual's guide says Wales and Northern Ireland use different GCSE grading scales. GradeCat has not checked those scales yet, so it gives no comparison for them.
GCSE grades to letters FAQ
Is a grade 4 a C?
Not exactly. Grade 4 sits in the band beside B and C, and its bottom is comparable to the bottom of the old C, so where a C was asked for, the nearest equivalent is a 4. The scales are not directly equivalent.
What is a 7 in old GCSE grades?
Grade 7 sits in the top band, beside A* and A, and its bottom is comparable to the bottom of the old A. Grades 8 and 9 sit above it in the same band.
Is a 5 a pass at GCSE?
Yes. The DfE recognises grade 4 and above as a standard pass in all subjects, and 5 is above 4.
What percentage do I need for a grade 4?
There is no fixed percentage. Grade boundaries are set again for each paper every year, so ask your school or exam board for your paper's boundaries.
Do old letter grades still count?
Yes. The old A* to G grades stay valid for future work and study.
Do Wales and Northern Ireland use 9 to 1?
Ofqual's guide says they use different GCSE grading scales, which GradeCat has not checked yet.
Related tools and guides
- UK Degree Classes and Grading Scale: university degree classes by mark, each with its source.
- UCAS Points Calculator: Tariff points on the 2027 tables.
- UK degree classifications explained: the First, 2:1, 2:2 and Third.
- All tools for the United Kingdom
- All GradeCat calculators
Sources
- Ofqual (GOV.UK): GCSE 9 to 1 grade scale explained (opened 10 November 2026)
- Department for Education (GOV.UK): GCSE factsheet for parents, May 2019 (opened 10 November 2026)
- Ofqual (blog, 2018): GCSE 9 to 1 grades: a brief guide for parents (opened 10 November 2026)
Reading a number grade as a letter is an estimate, not an official result. Your certificate and your exam board's results come first. Found a mistake? Tell us.