GPA Calculator

What this calculator does

This calculator computes your Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale based on your course grades and credit hours. It can calculate your GPA for a single semester, your cumulative GPA across multiple semesters, or project what grades you need to reach a target GPA.

GPA is the standard academic performance metric used by US colleges and universities for admissions, scholarships, honors programs, graduate school applications, and even some job applications. Understanding how it is calculated—and how each course affects it—helps you make strategic decisions about course loads, grade improvement, and academic planning.

Whether you are a high school student projecting your college GPA, a college student tracking your cumulative record, or a graduate school applicant calculating whether you meet a minimum GPA requirement, this tool provides clear, instant results.

How to use it

1. Enter each course name (optional, for your reference).
2. Enter the credit hours for each course (e.g. 3 or 4).
3. Select the letter grade earned (A, A−, B+, B, etc.).
4. Add as many courses as needed.
5. Review your semester GPA and, if entering multiple semesters, your cumulative GPA.

Formulas used

• Grade points per course = Grade value × Credit hours Standard 4.0 scale: 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, F = 0.0.

• GPA = Total grade points / Total credit hours Example: Course 1: A (4.0) × 3 credits = 12.0. Course 2: B+ (3.3) × 4 credits = 13.2. Course 3: A− (3.7) × 3 credits = 11.1. Total points = 36.3. Total credits = 10. GPA = 3.63.

• Cumulative GPA uses the same formula across all semesters combined.

Examples

Example 1 — Freshman semester: English (3 cr, A), Calculus (4 cr, B+), Biology (4 cr, B), History (3 cr, A−). Points: 12 + 13.2 + 12 + 11.1 = 48.3. Credits: 14. GPA = 3.45.

Example 2 — Cumulative across two semesters: Semester 1: 15 credits, GPA 3.45 → 51.75 points. Semester 2: 16 credits, GPA 3.70 → 59.2 points. Cumulative: 110.95 / 31 = 3.58.

Example 3 — Target GPA planning: Current: 45 credits at 3.20 GPA (144 points). Goal: 3.50 GPA after 60 total credits. Need: 3.50 × 60 = 210 total points. Remaining 15 credits need 210 − 144 = 66 points → 4.40 average (not possible on a 4.0 scale—you would need to retake courses or adjust your goal).

Tips and common mistakes

• Credit hours matter more than you think. A B in a 4-credit course hurts your GPA more than a B in a 2-credit course. Prioritize studying for high-credit classes.
• Plus/minus grades make a difference. The gap between A (4.0) and A− (3.7) is 0.3 points per credit hour. Over a 120-credit degree, these small differences add up significantly.
• Weighted vs. unweighted GPA: High school weighted GPAs (on a 5.0 scale for AP/honors classes) differ from the standard 4.0 college scale. This calculator uses the standard 4.0 scale.
• Raising a low GPA gets harder over time. With 90 credits on record, each new 3-credit course has a tiny effect on your cumulative GPA. Improving early is much easier than catching up later.
• Pass/Fail courses typically do not affect GPA—they are not included in the calculation. Check your school's specific policy.
• Graduate school minimums are often 3.0 or 3.3. If you are close, calculate exactly how many credits at what GPA you need to reach the threshold.