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Gawain failed in many aspects of being a knight but still stayed true to his code more often than not. I would say that Gawain was a good knight but was far from perfect with many mess ups in his code along his journey.

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Battle is the test of manhood (code of chivalry)

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Battle is the test of manhood (code of chivalry)

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“And his shoulders shrank a little from the sharp iron.

Abruptly the brawny man breaks off the stroke,

And then reproved with proud words that prince among knights. 'You are not Gawain the glorious,' the green man said, 'That never fell back on field in the face of the foe,

And now you flee for fear, and have felt no harm:

Such news of that knight I never heard yet!'” (2267-2273).

He goes to fight the Green Knight but flinches at first. He is called a coward. He fails his test and the Green Knight mocks him for it.

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Courtesy to all ladies (code of chivalry)

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Courtesy to all ladies (code of chivalry)

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“When Gawain had gazed on that gay lady, With leave of her lord, he politely approached; To the elder in homage he humbly bows; The lovelier he salutes with a light embrace. He claims a comely kiss, and courteously he speaks; They welcome him warmly, and straightway he asks To be received as their servant, if they so desire.” (970-976).
He is polite to the ladies of the lord’s castle and demonstrates this part of the code successfully.

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Respect for all worth people (code of chivalry)

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Respect for all worth people (code of chivalry)

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“With command of manners pure He shall each heart imbue;’ Who shares his converse, sure, Shall learn love’s language true.’” (924-927).
Gawain will treat everyone well that he meets.

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Anger blinds, a cool head wins (code of chivalry)

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Anger blinds, a cool head wins (code of chivalry)

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“My head fell to my feet, yet steadfast I stood, And you, all unharmed, are wholly dismayed—Wherefore the better man I, by all odds,must be.' Said Gawain, 'Strike once more; I shall neither flinch nor flee; But if my head falls to the floor There is no mending me!” (2276-2283).
Gawain is insulted by the Green Knight by flinching at the first swing. He calms down and becomes more ready and is prepared for the second swing. He doesn’t flinch the second time.

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Scorn those who are ignoble (code of chivalry)

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Scorn those who are ignoble (code of chivalry)

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“And shamefaced at shrift he showed his misdeeds confession From the largest to the least, and asked the Lord’s mercy, And called on his confessor to cleanse his soul,

And he absolved him of his sins as safe and as clean As if the dread Day of Judgment should dawn on the morrow.” (1880-1884).

Gawain was ignoble when lying to the lord and hiding the girdle. That is why he went to get his sins cleared before his battle.

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“Each brother of that band, a baldric should have, A belt borne oblique, of a bright green, To be worn with one accord for that worthy’s sake. So that was taken as a token by the Table Round, And he honored that had it, evermore after, As the best book of knighthood bids it be known.” (2515-2521).
The round table celebrates Gawain when he returns because he survived the battle. All they cared about was that he fought the Green Knight and survived.

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“I am the weakest, well I know, and of wit feeblest;

And the loss of my life would be least of any;

That I have you for uncle is my only praise;

My body, but for your blood, is barren of worth;” (354-357).

Gawain shows that he believes that he is not worth much compared to those above him. This shows his nobility and dedication to his code and other people around him.

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“‘But your girdle, God love you! I gladly shall take And be pleased to possess, not for the pure gold,Nor the bright belt itself, nor the beauteous pendants,Nor for wealth, nor worldly state, nor workmanship fine,But a sign of excess it shall seem oftentimes When I ride in renown, and remember with shame The faults and the frailty of the flesh perverse,How its tenderness entices the foul taint of sin;And so when praise and high prowess have pleased my heart,A look at this love-lace will lower my pride.” (2429-2438).
Gawain wears the girdle in front of Arthur's knights as a punishment and to show his wrong doings as a knight. He is punishing himself so he completing this virtue but also is in this situation by failing a principal of the code.

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Honor all those above your station (code of chivalry)

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Honor all those above your station (code of chivalry)

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“‘So he stands there in state, the stout young king,Talking before the high table of trifles fair.There Gawain the good knight by Guenevere sits,With Agravain à la dure main on his other side, of the hard hand Both knights of renown, and nephews of the king.” (107-111).
By sitting lower than the king and queen at the table he is honoring the people who are more powerful than him and respecting them. Gawain successfully demonstrates this value.

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Death before dishonor (code of chivalry)

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Death before dishonor (code of chivalry)

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“‘Since all that I owe here is openly paid.’ ‘Marry!’ said the other man, ‘mine is much less, For I have hunted all day, and nought have I got But this foul fox pelt, the fiend take the goods! Which but poorly repays those precious things That you have cordially conferred, those kisses three” (1941-1946).
Gawain decides to lie and keep the belt hoping that it will help him survive the battle with the green knight. This goes against his word and goes against the principal of death before dishonor.

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Loyalty: faithfulness to country, duty (knightly virtue)

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Loyalty: faithfulness to country, duty (knightly virtue)

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“‘And so, good Sir Gawain, let the grim man be; Go off by some other road, in God’s own name! Leave by some other land, for the love of Christ, And I shall get me home again, and give you my word That I shall swear by God’s self and the saints above, By heaven and by my halidom and other oaths more, To conceal this day’s deed, nor say to a soul That ever you fled for fear from any that I knew.’‘Many thanks!’ said the other man—and demurring he speaks—” (2118-2127).
Gawain is offered by his guide to going back to Camelot. The guide says that the Green Knight is an evil creature and offers to not tell if Gawain leaves. Gawain refuses and continues on with his journey to his battle. Gawain is successful in this virtue.

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Good faith: trust upon word alone (knightly virtue)

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Good faith: trust upon word alone (knightly virtue)

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“‘And Gawain,’ said the good host, 'agree now to this: Whatever I win in the woods I will give you at eve, And all you have earned you must offer to me; Swear now, sweet friend, to swap as I say, Whether hands, in the end, go empty or no. 'By God,’ said Sir Gawain, ‘I grant it forthwith! If you find the game good, I shall gladly take part.' Let the bright wine be brought, and our bargain is done,’ Said the lord of that land—the two laughed together.” (1105-1113).
Gawain and the Lord make a deal and they trust in each other word that they will trade earnings from the day. Gawain keeps the girdle and fails this virtue.

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Bravery: fearlessness, courage (knightly virtue)

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Bravery: fearlessness, courage (knightly virtue)

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“Then he grasps the green girdle and let's go the knot, Hands it over in haste, and hotly he says:‘Behold there my falsehood, ill hap betide it! Your cut taught me cowardice, care for my life, And coveting came after, contrary both To largesse and loyalty belonging to knights. Now am I faulty and false, that fearful was ever Of disloyalty and lies—bad luck to them both!—and greed.” (2376-2384).
Gawain takes the girdle and shows that he is scared for his life. He is not fearless and therefore fails this virtue.

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Unselfishness: caring for others (knightly value)

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Unselfishness: caring for others (knightly value)

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“And it is I that have asked it, it ought to be mine,

And if my claim be not comely let all this court judge,

in sight.’

The court assays the claim.

And in counsel all unite

To give Gawain the game

And release the king outright.” (359-364).

Gawain stands up for Arthur and accepts the Green Knight's challenge. Gawain successfully demonstrates this value.

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Glory: great honor, popular praise (knightly virtue)

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Glory: great honor, popular praise (knightly virtue)

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“‘Good sir,’ said Gawain, ‘Would you go to inquire

If your lord would allow me to lodge here a space?’

‘Peter!’ said the porter, ‘For my part, I think

So noble a knight will not want for a welcome!’

Then he bustles off briskly, and comes back straight,

And many servants beside, to receive him the better.” (810-816).

Gawain finds the lords castle and is praised by the people there. He is highly respected and honored. They threw a celebration in his honor after he arrives. Gawain successfully demonstrates this value.

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Courtesy: formal politeness (knightly virtue)

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Courtesy: formal politeness (knightly virtue)

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“And was bound for his bed—abashed was the knight, And laid his head low again in likeness of sleep; And she stepped stealthily, and stole to his bed, Cast aside the curtain and came within, And set herself softly on the bedside there, And lingered at her leisure, to look on his waking.” (1189-1194).
He is polite to the lord’s wife and does not want to upset her. He tries not to directly deny her and hurt her feelings. Gawain successfully demonstrates this value.