GPA Calculator
Calculate your college and high school GPA fast. Supports semester, cumulative, weighted, and unweighted GPA calculations.
Target GPA Planner
See the grades you need to reach your goal.
Calculate your college GPA or high school GPA instantly with our free online calculator. Supports both unweighted 4.0 scale and weighted 5.0 scale GPA calculations. Whether you’re calculating semester GPA, cumulative GPA, or need to account for AP, IB, and Honors courses, our calculator handles standard grading, credit hours, and weighted courses automatically. Perfect for college students tracking their academic performance and high school students preparing college applications.
What is GPA?
GPA (Grade Point Average) is a numerical summary of your academic performance. Your grades are converted into grade points and averaged according to your school’s grading policy. Some schools weight courses by credit hours, course level, or both.
The GPA Formula
GPA = Σ(Grade Points × Credit Hours) ÷ Σ(Credit Hours)
Grade points are the numerical value of each letter grade, while credit hours determine how much weight each course carries in your GPA.
If all of your classes carry equal weight, you can treat each class as 1 credit. Always use your school’s official grading scale and credit rules when they differ.
How to Calculate GPA
Follow these 4 simple steps
1
Convert letter grades to points
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, D-=0.7, F=0.0
2
Multiply by credit hours
For each course, multiply the grade points by the number of credit hours
3
Sum all grade points
Add up the weighted grade points from all courses
4
Divide by total credits
Divide the total grade points by total credit hours attempted
Example GPA Calculation
See exactly how GPA is calculated with a real example using 4 courses
Spring Semester
Course Name
Letter Grade
Grade Points
Credit Hours
Total Points
Calculus II
A
4.0
4
4.0 × 4 = 16.0
English Composition
B+
3.3
3
3.3 × 3 = 9.9
Biology 101
A-
3.7
4
3.7 × 4 = 14.8
World History
B
3.0
3
3.0 × 3 = 9.0
TOTALS
14 credits
49.7 points
Step-by-Step Calculation
1
Convert letter grades to grade points
A = 4.0 points
B+ = 3.3 points
A- = 3.7 points
B = 3.0 points
2
Multiply each grade by credit hours
Calculus II: 4.0 × 4 = 16.0 grade points
English Composition: 3.3 × 3 = 9.9 grade points
Biology 101: 3.7 × 4 = 14.8 grade points
World History: 3.0 × 3 = 9.0 grade points
3
Add up all grade points
16.0 + 9.9 + 14.8 + 9.0 = 49.7 total grade points
4
Add up all credit hours
4 + 3 + 4 + 3 = 14 total credit hours
5
Divide total grade points by total credit hours
GPA = 49.7 ÷ 14
3.55
Final Semester GPA
Key Takeaway
Notice how the 4-credit courses (Calculus II and Biology 101) have more impact on the final GPA than the 3-credit courses. This is why credit hour weighting is essential for accurate GPA calculation.
Weighted vs Unweighted GPA
4.0 Scale
Unweighted GPA
Uses standard 4.0 scale. All courses treated equally regardless of difficulty.
✓ Maximum GPA: 4.0
✓ A in Regular = A in AP = 4.0
✓ Most commonly used by colleges
✓ Simplest calculation method
5.0 Scale
Weighted GPA
Adds bonus points for advanced courses. Rewards academic rigor.
✓ Maximum GPA: 5.0 or higher
✓ AP/IB courses: +1.0 bonus points
✓ Honors courses: +0.5 bonus points
✓ Common in high school transcripts
Cumulative GPA vs Semester GPA
Semester GPA
Single Term Performance
Calculated using only the courses from one semester or term. This shows your performance during that specific period and can vary significantly from term to term.
Use Case: Track improvement or identify challenging semesters
Cumulative GPA
Overall Academic Record
Calculated using all courses from all semesters combined. This is the GPA that appears on your transcript and what colleges and employers review.
Important: Early semesters have lasting impact; harder to change over time
College GPA vs High School GPA
College
College GPA
Credit-based calculation weighted by credit hours, using standard 4.0 scale with plus/minus grades.
✓ Standard 4.0 scale (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0)
✓ Weighted by credit hours
✓ Plus/minus grades included
✓ Semester and cumulative tracking
High School
High School GPA
Course-based calculation where each course counts equally, with optional weighted bonuses for advanced classes.
✓ 4.0 or 5.0+ scale options
✓ Course credits weight vary by school
✓ AP/IB +1.0, Honors +0.5 bonuses
✓ Four-year cumulative tracking
Frequently Asked Questions About GPA
Everything you need to know about calculating and understanding your GPA
How do I calculate my GPA on a 4.0 scale?
Convert each course’s letter grade into grade points using your school’s scale, then multiply those points by the course credits. Add the results and divide by the total credits that count toward your GPA. For example, an A worth 4.0 in a 3-credit class and a B worth 3.0 in another 3-credit class give you a 3.5 GPA.
What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
An unweighted GPA measures grades without adding bonus points for advanced coursework, commonly using a 4.0 scale. A weighted GPA adds extra points for eligible courses such as Honors, AP, or IB. The bonuses and maximum possible GPA depend on your school’s policy.
How do I calculate my cumulative GPA?
Your cumulative GPA combines all the courses that count toward your GPA across multiple semesters. Multiply your previous cumulative GPA by its corresponding GPA credits, add your new semester’s grade points, then divide by the combined GPA credits. Avoid simply averaging semester GPAs unless every semester has the same number of GPA credits.
Can I calculate my GPA without credit hours?
Yes, if all your classes carry equal weight, enter 1 credit for each class to calculate an equally weighted GPA. If your courses have different credit values, you’ll need those values for an accurate result. Check your transcript or course information rather than assuming every class counts equally.
How do I convert percentage grades to GPA?
Use your school’s grading scale to convert each course percentage into a letter grade or grade-point value, then calculate your GPA using the course credits. Percentage cutoffs vary, so the same percentage can translate to different GPA values at different schools. Dividing your overall percentage by 25 does not reliably convert it to a 4.0 GPA.
How do AP, IB, and Honors classes affect my GPA?
These classes can raise your weighted GPA if your school awards extra points for advanced coursework. A common approach adds 1.0 point for eligible AP or IB classes and 0.5 for Honors, but the bonuses and eligibility rules vary. For an unweighted GPA, the course level does not add bonus points.
What is a good GPA?
A good GPA depends on your grading scale and what you need it for, such as graduation, a scholarship, or admission to a particular program. On a common unweighted 4.0 scale, a 3.0 represents a B average, while a 3.5 falls between B and A performance. Compare your GPA with the published requirements and student profiles relevant to your goal.
How can I raise my GPA?
Earning grades above your current average in courses that count toward your GPA will raise it. How much it rises depends on both your new grades and how many GPA credits you’ve already completed. Use a target GPA calculator to work out the average you need in your remaining courses, then focus your study plan on reaching it.
How does a failed class affect my GPA?
In a standard letter-graded course, an F usually adds zero grade points while the course credits still count in your GPA calculation. For example, a 3-credit A and a 3-credit F average to a 2.0 GPA on a standard 4.0 scale. If you retake the failed class, your school’s repeat policy determines whether the original grade continues to count.
Why is my calculated GPA different from my transcript?
Your school may use different grade-point values, course exclusions, repeat policies, or rounding rules than the calculator’s settings. Check your grades and credits carefully, including any failed or repeated courses that count toward GPA. Treat the calculator as an estimate, and use your official transcript GPA when an application asks for it.