GPA Calculator
GPA = Σ(grade points × credits) ÷ Σ(credits)
How GPA Calculations Work
Grade Point Average (GPA) measures academic performance on a standardized scale, most commonly the 4.0 system used by U.S. colleges and high schools. Each letter grade converts to a grade point value, and your GPA is the credit-weighted average of those points across all courses in a term. The formula is: GPA = Σ(grade points × credit hours) ÷ Σ(credit hours).
For example, if you earn an A (4.0) in a 3-credit course and a B+ (3.3) in a 4-credit course, your total quality points are (4.0 × 3) + (3.3 × 4) = 12 + 13.2 = 25.2. Dividing by 7 total credits gives a semester GPA of 3.60. Courses with more credit hours pull your GPA more strongly because they contribute more quality points to the denominator.
Most institutions accept letter grades, percentages, or raw GPA points as input. Percentages map to letter grades using standard cutoffs — 93% and above is typically an A (4.0), while scores below 60% earn an F (0.0). Pass/fail courses and withdrawals are usually excluded from GPA calculations entirely, though policies vary by school.
Understanding your semester GPA helps you track progress toward dean's list requirements, scholarship renewals, and graduate school applications. A single low grade in a high-credit course can drop your GPA noticeably, while strong performance in weighted courses can lift it significantly. Checking your GPA throughout the term — not just at the end — lets you adjust study priorities before finals.
The table below shows the standard U.S. 4.0 grading scale used by this calculator. Enter each course's grade and credit hours to see your semester GPA instantly.
| Letter Grade | Percent Range | GPA Points |
|---|---|---|
| A+ / A | 93–100% | 4.0 |
| A- | 90–92% | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87–89% | 3.3 |
| B | 83–86% | 3.0 |
| B- | 80–82% | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77–79% | 2.3 |
| C | 73–76% | 2.0 |
| C- | 70–72% | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67–69% | 1.3 |
| D | 63–66% | 1.0 |
| D- | 60–62% | 0.7 |
| F | Below 60% | 0.0 |
Some schools use plus/minus grading while others round to whole letters only. Weighted honors or AP courses at the high school level may use a 5.0 scale — this calculator uses the standard unweighted 4.0 scale. Always confirm your institution's specific grading policy when reporting official GPA figures.
Examples
| Example | Result |
|---|---|
| A (3 cr) + B (3 cr) | GPA 3.50 |
| A (4 cr) + B+ (3 cr) + C (3 cr) | GPA 3.23 |
| All A's, 15 credits | GPA 4.00 |
| B+ (3 cr) + B (4 cr) + A- (3 cr) | GPA 3.23 |
| 92%, 88%, 95% — 3 credits each | GPA 3.67 (A-, B+, A) |
| C (4 cr) + B (4 cr) + A (2 cr) | GPA 2.67 |
| Five 3-credit courses, all B | GPA 3.00 |
Frequently asked questions
Multiply each course's grade points by its credit hours, sum those quality points, then divide by total credit hours. A 4-credit A contributes more than a 1-credit A.
Yes. Percentages are converted to letter grades using standard U.S. cutoffs, then mapped to GPA points on the 4.0 scale.
A 3.0 (B average) is generally satisfactory. A 3.5 or above is strong for most scholarships and graduate programs. Requirements vary by school and program.