Danish grading system
In Denmark, grades on the 7-point scale run from 12 (best) to −3, and 02 is the lowest pass.
Example · Weighted average of 3 courses
Between 7 and 10
god (good) or fortrinlig (very good): your school’s or university’s rules decide which grade goes on your record. 02 is the lowest pass.
3 courses, weights adding up to 15.
Wikipedia’s US table gives letters, not points, so it cannot average these grades: check them one at a time.
Grades on the 7-point scale: 12 to −3
Schools, upper secondary exams and universities across Denmark. Each grade matches an ECTS grade: 12 is A, 10 B, 7 C, 4 D, 02 E, 00 Fx and −3 F.
| Grade | On the transcript | Meaning | Pass? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | fremragende | excellent | Pass |
| 10 | fortrinlig | very good | Pass |
| 7 | god | good | Pass |
| 4 | jævn | fair | Pass |
| 02 | tilstrækkelig | adequate | Pass |
| 00 | utilstrækkelig | inadequate | Fail |
| −3 | ringe | unacceptable | Fail |
Danish grades in US terms
Wikipedia’s table reads the grades on the 7-point scale on the US scale as below. It is one convention, not a rule: each US university, or the credential evaluation service it names, makes its own conversion, so the school you apply to decides what your grades are worth. Wikipedia's table reads 00, a Danish fail, as a US D.
| Danish grade | US letter |
|---|---|
| 12 | A+, A |
| 10 | A− |
| 7 | B+, B |
| 4 | B− |
| 02 | C |
| 00 | D |
| −3 | F |
What to know about grades in Denmark
- The 7-point scale replaced the old 13-scale in 2006 in schools and in 2007 at universities.
- The leading zero in 00 and 02 makes the grades harder to alter on a document.
- Grades are set against fixed criteria, and 12 is given for an excellent performance with no or only minor weaknesses.
- In November 2025 the government proposed a new eight-step scale without −3; the 7-point scale stays in use until a change is adopted.
Sources: Wikipedia, Academic grading in Denmark; Wikipedia, Grading systems by country (Denmark); Wikipedia (Danish), 7-trins-skalaen; Ministry of Higher Education and Science (Denmark), Regeringen præsenterer ny karakterskala, der skal mindske karakterpres.