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GPA Calculator

Math Tools Updated 2025 100% Private

Compute your semester or cumulative Grade Point Average on the standard 4.0 scale. Add as many courses as you need, assign each a grade and credit hours, and the calculator instantly updates your GPA and total credits.

GPA Calculator

# Course Name (optional) Grade Credits

What is a Grade Point Average?

A Grade Point Average, usually abbreviated as GPA, is a single number that summarizes a student's academic performance across all of their courses. It does so by converting letter grades into numeric grade points on a fixed scale — most commonly the 4.0 scale — and then averaging those points, weighted by the credit value of each course. The result is a number between 0.0 and 4.0 that admissions officers, scholarship committees, and employers use as a quick, comparable indicator of academic achievement.

The weighting by credit hours is the key insight. A four-credit lab course should clearly count more toward your overall record than a one-credit elective, and the GPA formula reflects this. By multiplying each grade point by its credits and then dividing by total credits, the GPA gives heavy courses proportionally more influence on the final number. This is why a single poor grade in a major-required five-credit course can dent your GPA far more than acing a two-credit gym class can lift it.

Different institutions use different scales. Some use a 4.3 scale that rewards A+ with 4.3 points; some high schools use weighted 5.0 scales that give extra points for advanced placement courses; and many countries outside North America use percentage-based systems entirely. For consistency and broad comparability, this calculator uses the unweighted 4.0 scale, where an A in any course is worth 4.0 regardless of difficulty.

The GPA Formula

GPA Formula GPA = Σ(Grade Point × Credit Hours) / Σ(Credit Hours)
Example

Three courses:

  • Math (4 credits, grade A = 4.0) → 4.0 × 4 = 16.0 quality points
  • English (3 credits, grade B+ = 3.3) → 3.3 × 3 = 9.9 quality points
  • History (3 credits, grade A- = 3.7) → 3.7 × 3 = 11.1 quality points
  • Total quality points = 16.0 + 9.9 + 11.1 = 37.0
  • Total credits = 4 + 3 + 3 = 10
  • GPA = 37.0 / 10 = 3.70

How to Use

  1. Click Add Course to create a new row. A starter set of rows is included by default.
  2. Optionally enter a course name to keep your list organized.
  3. Select the letter grade you earned (or expect to earn) from the dropdown.
  4. Enter the credit hours for that course. Most college courses are 3 or 4 credits.
  5. Click Calculate GPA to see your weighted GPA, total credits, and honors standing.
  6. Use the trash icon on each row to remove a course, or Clear All to reset everything.

Grade Point Reference (4.0 Scale)

LetterGrade PointsLetterGrade Points
A+ / A4.0C+2.3
A-3.7C2.0
B+3.3C-1.7
B3.0D+1.3
B-2.7D / D-1.0 / 0.7
F (Fail)0.0

GPA Calculator FAQs

What is a GPA and how is it calculated?
GPA, or Grade Point Average, is the weighted average of grade points earned across all courses, weighted by the credit hours of each course. To calculate it, multiply each course's grade points by its credits, sum these values, then divide by the total credits. A student with 12 quality points over 4 credits has a GPA of 3.0.
What grading scale does this calculator use?
Our calculator uses the standard 4.0 scale common in the United States. A+ and A both map to 4.0, A- to 3.7, B+ to 3.3, B to 3.0, B- to 2.7, C+ to 2.3, C to 2.0, C- to 1.7, D+ to 1.3, D to 1.0, D- to 0.7, and F to 0. Some institutions use slightly different equivalents.
How do credit hours affect my GPA?
Credit hours act as a weight. A four-credit course has twice the impact on your GPA as a two-credit course with the same grade. This is why doing well in heavy lab or lecture courses matters so much — a single bad grade in a high-credit course can pull your GPA down more than a strong grade in a one-credit seminar.
What is the difference between term GPA and cumulative GPA?
Term GPA averages only the courses taken in a single semester or quarter. Cumulative GPA combines all courses taken across every term at the institution. Cumulative GPA is what appears on your transcript and is usually what scholarship committees, graduate schools, and employers review.
What is a good GPA?
A 3.0 GPA equals a B average and is generally the minimum required for many graduate programs and scholarships. A 3.5 or higher is considered strong, while 3.7 and above is excellent and competitive for selective graduate schools. The definition of "good" depends on your goals, institution, and field of study.
Can I calculate GPA for a non-4.0 scale?
This calculator is built around the 4.0 scale, which is the most widely used in North America. For 5.0 scales used by some weighted high-school programs, or percentage-based systems used in other countries, you would need to convert grades to the 4.0 equivalent before entering them. Future versions may add additional scales.