GPA Calculator
Free GPA calculator. Compute your semester or cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale from letter grades and credit hours. Supports +/- grading and weighted courses.
Quick answer
GPA = (sum of grade points × credit hours) ÷ total credit hours. On a 4.0 scale: A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0. Plus/minus modifiers add or subtract 0.3 (or sometimes 0.33). Cumulative GPA is computed across all semesters using the same formula.
GPA Calculator
How it works
Calculates your grade point average from your course list using the standard 4.0 scale (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0). Weighted by credit hours so a 4-credit class affects your GPA more than a 1-credit class.
When to use it
Use this when applying to college, grad school, scholarships, or jobs that ask for your GPA. Also useful mid-semester to predict where you'll land if you keep your current grade trajectory.
Common mistakes
Forgetting credit hour weighting. An A in a 1-credit elective and a C in a 4-credit science class don't average to a B — the science class drags your GPA down much more because it's worth 4× as much.
How the GPA calculator works
Each course's grade is converted to a number on the 4.0 scale (A=4.0, B+=3.3, B=3.0, etc.). That number is multiplied by the credit hours of the course to get 'quality points.' Sum all quality points and divide by total credit hours to get the GPA. A heavier course (more credit hours) pulls your GPA more strongly than a lighter one, which is why scoring an A in a 4-credit class moves the needle more than an A in a 1-credit class. The calculator handles weighted GPAs (where AP/IB courses go up to 5.0 instead of 4.0) and supports both letter grades and percentage inputs.
When to use it
Tracking your progress mid-semester. Predicting your end-of-semester GPA from current grades and remaining assignments. Computing what GPA you need on next semester's coursework to hit a target cumulative. Comparing weighted (AP-included) vs. unweighted GPAs for college applications — most schools recompute their own version anyway, so know what the school's published GPA range refers to.
Common mistakes
- Averaging GPAs across semesters. Don't average a 3.5 fall and 3.0 spring to get 3.25. Recompute cumulatively from quality points and credit hours, since different semesters may have different total credits.
- Forgetting credit-hour weighting. A 4-credit class affects your GPA twice as much as a 2-credit class with the same grade.
- Using your school's scale incorrectly. Some schools use 4.3 (A+ allowed); some use straight 4.0 (no plus/minus); some use 5.0 weighted for honors. Always check your registrar's published scale.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
Unweighted GPA caps at 4.0 (A in any class = 4.0). Weighted GPA gives extra credit for honors, AP, or IB classes — typically letting them go up to 5.0 for an A. Most colleges recompute applicants' GPAs to their own internal scale, so the difference matters less than it appears.
How do I calculate cumulative GPA?
Sum all quality points (each course's grade × credit hours) across every semester, then divide by total credit hours across all semesters. Don't average semester GPAs — that ignores credit-hour differences between terms.
Is a 3.0 GPA good?
A 3.0 (B average) is solid but not standout. For competitive college admissions, a 3.5+ unweighted is usually expected. For grad school, 3.5-3.8 is typical for well-ranked programs. For employers, anything above 3.0 typically clears the screening bar.