How GPA is calculated
Your grade point average (GPA) is a weighted average of your grades. Each letter grade is worth a number of points, and each course counts in proportion to its credit hours. A 4-credit course affects your GPA more than a 1-credit one.
- Turn each letter grade into grade points using the scale below.
- Multiply each course's grade points by its credit hours.
- Add those results together to get your total grade points.
- Divide by the total number of credit hours.
GPA = Σ (grade points × credits) ÷ Σ credits
Letter grade to grade points (4.0 scale)
| Grade | Points | Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ / A | 4.0 | C | 2.0 |
| A− | 3.7 | C− | 1.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | D+ | 1.3 |
| B | 3.0 | D | 1.0 |
| B− | 2.7 | D− | 0.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 | F | 0.0 |
This is the most common scale in US colleges. Some schools give 4.3 for an A+, and some don't use plus and minus grades at all. Check your school's catalog. If its scale is different, your official GPA may differ slightly.
Worked example
| Course | Credits | Grade | Points × credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus | 4 | B+ (3.3) | 13.2 |
| English | 3 | A (4.0) | 12.0 |
| Chemistry | 4 | B (3.0) | 12.0 |
| Art history | 2 | A− (3.7) | 7.4 |
Total: 44.6 grade points over 13 credits. 44.6 ÷ 13 = 3.43 GPA.
Cumulative GPA
Your cumulative GPA covers every semester so far. You can't just average your semester GPAs, because semesters with more credits count for more. Instead, combine the grade points and credits:
cumulative = (old GPA × old credits + new grade points) ÷ (old credits + new credits)
A 3.20 GPA over 45 credits, plus the semester above (44.6 points, 13 credits):
(3.20 × 45 + 44.6) ÷ (45 + 13) = 188.6 ÷ 58 = 3.25.
The more credits you've completed, the harder it is to move your cumulative GPA. That's why early semesters matter so much.
Things that can change your official GPA
- Pass/fail courses usually earn credits but don't count toward GPA. Leave them out here.
- Withdrawals (W) normally don't affect GPA.
- Repeated courses: many schools replace the old grade with the new one. Others average both.
- Weighted high school GPAs give extra points for honors, AP or IB classes (often up to 5.0). This calculator uses the unweighted 4.0 scale.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good GPA?
It depends on your goal. Above 3.0 is generally considered solid. Competitive graduate programs and scholarships often look for 3.5 or higher. Many honors lists start around 3.5.
How do I convert a percentage to a 4.0 GPA?
There's no single official conversion. Many US schools use 93–100% = A, 90–92% = A−, 87–89% = B+, and so on down in steps. Check your school's grading policy, then enter the letter grades here.
Does the course name matter?
No. It's only there to help you keep track. You can leave it blank.
Last reviewed November 2026.