GPA Calculator

GPA calculator at a glance#

A GPA calculator turns your letter grades and credit hours into a single grade point average. On the standard 4.0 scale, multiply each course grade point by its credits, add those totals, then divide by the total credits. So an A is worth 4, B is 3, C is 2, D is 1 and F is 0.

Worked example: an A in a 3 credit class, a B in a 4 credit class and a C in a 3 credit class. Multiply grade points by credits, so that is (4 x 3) + (3 x 4) + (2 x 3) = 12 + 12 + 6 = 30 grade points across 10 credits. Divide 30 by 10 for a GPA of 3.0. If every class carries the same credits, you can just average the grade points instead.

Enter your grades and credits in the calculator above for your exact unweighted or weighted GPA. Weighted scales add points for AP, honors or IB courses (often an A is 5.0), and some schools use plus and minus grades, so check your school’s own scale.

Weighted vs unweighted GPA#

An unweighted GPA treats every course the same and caps at 4.0: an A is 4 points whether it is in gym or calculus. A weighted GPA adds points for harder courses, so a 4.0 scale can run to 5.0. Honors classes usually add 0.5 and AP or IB classes add a full point, which is why a weighted A in an AP course can be worth 5.0. How much weight a course carries is set by your school, so check its grading policy before you compare numbers.

Tracking your cumulative GPA#

Your cumulative GPA covers every graded course you have taken, not just one term. To combine terms, add up all the grade points (each grade times its credits) across every course and divide by the total credits for all of them. Freshman grades count: they stay in the cumulative figure for as long as you are enrolled, so an early dip takes more strong terms to pull back up.

High school and college scales#

High schools use the 4.0 scale (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) and many add weighted points for honors and AP work. Colleges mostly use the same 4.0 base but add plus and minus grades, so an A- is 3.7 and a B+ is 3.3 rather than flat whole numbers. Some programs also report a major GPA that counts only courses in your field. Always calculate against your own institution's scale rather than a generic one.

GPA FAQ#

How do you calculate a GPA?#

Multiply each course's grade points by its credits, add those products, then divide by the total credits. With equal-credit courses you can skip the weighting and just average the grade points. A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0 on the standard scale.

Is a 3.6 GPA good?#

Yes. A 3.6 sits well above the common 3.0 reference point and maps to mostly A and A- grades. It keeps you competitive for many selective schools, though admissions also weigh course rigor, tests and the rest of your application.

Is a 3.4 GPA good?#

A 3.4 is above the 3.0 mark and signals steady B+ to A- work. It is a solid, competitive figure at most colleges and universities.

What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?#

Unweighted GPA gives every course equal value and tops out at 4.0. Weighted GPA adds points for harder courses (about 0.5 for honors, a full point for AP or IB), so it can exceed 4.0.

Do AP and honors courses raise my GPA?#

On a weighted scale, yes. An A in a regular class is 4.0, but the same A can be 4.5 in honors or 5.0 in AP. The exact bonus depends on your school's policy.

Do my freshman grades count toward my GPA?#

Yes. Every graded course, including first-year ones, stays in your cumulative GPA. They carry the same weight as any other course of the same credit value.

Does a low GPA ruin your chances?#

No single number decides an outcome. GPA matters for admissions and some jobs, but work experience, projects, extracurriculars and an upward grade trend all factor in alongside it.

How do I raise my GPA?#

Future grades move the average more than past ones do, so target the heaviest-credit courses first. Consistent attendance, reviewing notes soon after class, and asking for help early tend to lift results more than last-minute cramming.