Grade Point Average

GPA Calculator

Calculate semester and cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) on a standard 4.0 scale using letter grades and course credits.

Guide & Overview

About the GPA Calculator

The Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculator computes your academic standing on the standard 4.0 collegiate grading scale. Colleges, universities, high schools, scholarship committees, and graduate programs use cumulative GPA as a primary benchmark for honors, academic probation, and admissions.

Unlike a simple average of grades, GPA is weighted by course credit hours—meaning a 4-credit course has double the influence on your final GPA compared to a 2-credit elective course.

Step-by-Step Instructions

How to Calculate GPA

Add each course taken during your semester or term.

Select the earned Letter Grade (e.g., A, B+, B, C) or enter numeric grade points.

Enter the course Credit Hours (e.g., 3 or 4 credits).

Click Calculate to see your weighted GPA, total credit hours, and total grade points earned.

Mathematical Precision

Weighted GPA Formula

Formula Definition

Grade Points per Course = Course Credits × Grade Scale Value
GPA = Total Grade Points / Total Course Credits

Multiply each course credit hour by the numeric equivalent of its letter grade, sum the total grade points, and divide by total credits attempted.

Variable Descriptions

Grade Scale (4.0): A/A+ = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0.0
Credits: Credit hours or semester units assigned to each course

Practical Walkthrough

Worked Example

Scenario: Calculate the semester GPA for 4 courses: Math (4 credits, A), History (3 credits, B), Biology (4 credits, B+), English (3 credits, A-).

Step 1: Math: 4 credits × 4.0 (A) = 16.0 points.

Step 2: History: 3 credits × 3.0 (B) = 9.0 points.

Step 3: Biology: 4 credits × 3.3 (B+) = 13.2 points.

Step 4: English: 3 credits × 3.7 (A-) = 11.1 points.

Step 5: Total points = 16.0 + 9.0 + 13.2 + 11.1 = 49.3 points.

Step 6: Total credits = 4 + 3 + 4 + 3 = 14 credits. GPA = 49.3 ÷ 14 = 3.52.

Result:The semester GPA is 3.52.

Important Considerations & Tips

Pass/Fail or Audit courses are typically excluded from both grade points and credit hour totals in GPA calculations.
Some high schools use weighted 5.0 scales for AP or Honors courses; standard university GPA uses the unweighted 4.0 benchmark.
A cumulative GPA combines all semesters by dividing all lifetime earned grade points by all lifetime credits.

Search Questions Answered

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard 4.0 GPA scale?

The standard 4.0 scale maps: A/A+ = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7, D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, and F = 0.0.

Why are course credits included in GPA calculation?

Course credits represent the rigor and weekly instructional hours of a class. Weighting by credits ensures that a major 4-credit lecture impacts your academic standing more than a 1-credit lab.

How do I raise my cumulative GPA?

Earning high grades (A or A-) in courses with higher credit counts will have the largest upward impact on your overall cumulative GPA.

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