GPA Calculator

Calculate your Grade Point Average for high school or college. Supports weighted and unweighted GPA.

Enter Your Courses

GPA Scale Reference

Letter Grades

A+, AExcellent4.0
A-Very Good3.7
B+Good3.3
BAbove Average3.0
B-Average2.7
C+Below Average2.3
CFair2.0
C-Poor1.7
D+Very Poor1.3
DPassing1.0
FFailing0.0

GPA Ranges

3.7 - 4.0 (Excellent)
Summa Cum Laude, Dean's List, Honor Roll
3.0 - 3.69 (Good)
Magna/Cum Laude, Competitive for most programs
2.5 - 2.99 (Average)
Meeting minimum requirements for most programs
2.0 - 2.49 (Below Average)
May be on academic probation
Below 2.0 (Needs Improvement)
Academic probation, may need academic support

Understanding GPA

What is GPA?

GPA stands for Grade Point Average. It's a standardized way to measure academic achievement by converting letter grades into numerical values and calculating an average based on credit hours. The most common GPA scale is 4.0, where an A is worth 4.0 points, B is 3.0, C is 2.0, D is 1.0, and F is 0.0.

How to Calculate GPA

Follow these steps to calculate your GPA manually:

  1. Convert each letter grade to its corresponding grade point (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0)
  2. Multiply each grade point by the number of credit hours for that course
  3. Add up all the grade points from step 2
  4. Add up all the credit hours for all courses
  5. Divide total grade points by total credit hours

Example:

  • Math (A, 3 credits): 4.0 × 3 = 12 points
  • English (B, 3 credits): 3.0 × 3 = 9 points
  • History (A-, 3 credits): 3.7 × 3 = 11.1 points
  • Total: 32.1 points ÷ 9 credits = 3.57 GPA

Weighted vs Unweighted GPA

Unweighted GPA (4.0 scale): All courses are treated equally regardless of difficulty. An A in a regular course and an A in an AP course both count as 4.0 points.

Weighted GPA (5.0 scale): Gives additional points for advanced courses like Honors, AP, or IB classes. Typically adds 1.0 point, so an A in an AP course would be worth 5.0 instead of 4.0. This system rewards students for taking more challenging courses and allows GPAs to exceed 4.0.

Why GPA Matters

  • College Admissions: Most colleges consider GPA as one of the most important factors
  • Scholarships: Many scholarships have minimum GPA requirements (typically 3.0-3.5)
  • Honor Societies: Organizations like National Honor Society require minimum GPAs
  • Graduate School: Graduate programs often require minimum GPAs for admission
  • Job Applications: Some employers ask for GPA, especially for recent graduates

GPA Calculator Features

Weighted/Unweighted Toggle

Switch between weighted (5.0 scale) and unweighted (4.0 scale) GPA calculations

Multiple Courses Support

Add unlimited courses to calculate your overall GPA accurately

Credit Hours Calculation

Automatically weights courses by credit hours for accurate results

Full Grade Scale (A-F)

Complete grade scale from A+ to F with precise point values

Honor/AP Course Weighting

Extra credit for advanced placement and honors courses

Real-time GPA Updates

Instant calculations as you add or modify course information

Frequently Asked Questions

How is GPA calculated?

GPA is calculated by converting letter grades to point values (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0), multiplying each by credit hours, adding all grade points together, and dividing by total credit hours. This gives you your Grade Point Average.

What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?

Unweighted GPA uses a 4.0 scale where all courses are treated equally. Weighted GPA uses a 5.0 scale and adds extra points (typically 1.0) for honors, AP, or IB courses, allowing students to earn above 4.0 and rewarding challenging coursework.

How do credit hours impact GPA?

Credit hours weight each course's impact on your GPA. A 4-credit course affects your GPA more than a 1-credit course. Higher credit courses have a larger influence on your overall GPA calculation.

What are grade points?

Grade points are the numerical values assigned to letter grades. A=4.0, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, C+=2.3, C=2.0, and so on. These standardize grades for GPA calculations across different courses and institutions.

How can I improve my GPA?

Improve your GPA by earning higher grades in future courses, especially in high-credit classes. Take advantage of tutoring, study groups, office hours, and academic resources. Focus on courses where you can make the most improvement while maintaining strong performance elsewhere.

What GPA do I need for college?

GPA requirements vary by institution. Community colleges may accept 2.0+, state universities often require 3.0+, and competitive schools expect 3.5+. Top-tier universities typically look for 3.8+ unweighted or 4.3+ weighted GPAs, though they consider many factors beyond GPA.

Are all GPA scales the same?

No, GPA scales vary between schools. Most use 4.0 (unweighted) or 5.0 (weighted), but some use different scales or grade point values. Colleges often recalculate GPAs using their own methodology to ensure fair comparison across applicants from different schools.

What is cumulative GPA?

Cumulative GPA is your overall grade point average across all semesters and years of your academic career. It includes all courses you've completed, weighted by credit hours, and appears on transcripts for college admissions, scholarships, and job applications.