GPA Calculator
Semester · Cumulative · Weighted · Target GPA
🎓 Add courses and credits to calculate your GPA.
GPA Formulas
GPA is a credit weighted average of grade points. A four credit B changes your average more than a one credit B.
Semester GPA
Cumulative GPA
Target average
4.0 Scale Reference
| Letter | Points | Letter | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A / A+ | 4.0 | C | 2.0 |
| A− | 3.7 | C− | 1.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | D+ | 1.3 |
| B | 3.0 | D | 1.0 |
| B− | 2.7 | D− | 0.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 | F | 0.0 |
Plus minus values follow a common college 4.0 pattern used in many admissions GPA worksheets. Your school may differ slightly.
How to Use This GPA Calculator
Choose Semester to score only the courses you enter. Choose Cumulative to fold those courses into a prior GPA and credit total. Choose Target to learn what average you need in upcoming credits to reach a goal.
For each course pick a letter grade, credits, and level (Regular, Honors, AP/IB). Mark Pass/Fail or Withdraw to exclude the row from GPA credits while still listing it.
What GPA means
Grade point average summarizes letter grades as one number on a scale. On a 4.0 scale, A work is 4 points per credit. GPA is not a simple average of letters unless every course has the same credits.
How to calculate GPA manually
1. Convert each letter to points. 2. Multiply by credits for quality points. 3. Add quality points. 4. Add GPA counted credits. 5. Divide. Worked example from a university admissions worksheet style: A in 3 credits = 12.0, A− in 2 credits = 7.4, B+ in 4 credits = 13.2. Total 32.6 quality points ÷ 9 credits = 3.62 GPA.
Cumulative updates
If your transcript shows 3.20 over 30 credits, previous quality points are 96. A new term with 45 quality points over 15 credits yields (96 + 45) ÷ 45 = 3.133 new cumulative GPA. Averaging 3.20 and the term GPA alone would be wrong unless both terms had equal credits.
Weighted high school scales
Many districts add about 0.5 for Honors and 1.0 for AP or IB on top of the base letter points, often capping near 5.0. This calculator’s weighted option uses that common pattern for planning. Official class rank uses your school’s published scale.
Target GPA planning
Needed average = (target × total future credits pool − current quality points) ÷ future credits. If the needed value exceeds 4.0 (or your weighted cap), the target is not reachable in that credit window without more credits or grade replacement policies.
Common mistakes
- Averaging semester GPAs without credit weights
- Including Pass/Fail or W credits in the divisor
- Mixing quarter and semester hours without conversion
- Assuming every school treats A+ as 4.3
- Using weighted GPA where an application asks for unweighted
Practical scenarios
College students project Dean’s list standing. High school students compare unweighted and weighted ranks. Applicants recompute GPA when a transcript lacks a cumulative line. Scholarship seekers test what grades they need next term.
Use a separate grade calculator when you need exam weights inside one course. Use this GPA tool when combining finished letter grades and credits.
When this calculator is useful
Use it for semester GPA, cumulative updates, weighted estimates, and target planning before registration.
Quarter versus semester hours
Some transcripts mix systems. One common conversion divides quarter hours and quality points by 1.5 to estimate semester equivalents. Convert everything to one system before using this calculator.
When this calculator may not be enough
It cannot replace your registrar’s official GPA, grade forgiveness rules, repeated course policies, or graduate school special scales. Always trust the transcript for applications.
Worked college example
Suppose you finish Biology with an A for 4 credits, History with a B+ for 3 credits, and Algebra with a B for 3 credits. Quality points are 16.0 + 9.9 + 9.0 = 34.9. Credits total 10. Semester GPA is 34.9 ÷ 10 = 3.49. That is the same result this calculator shows for the College sample preset.
Unweighted versus weighted reporting
College applications often ask for an unweighted 4.0 GPA even if your high school prints a weighted rank. Report both figures when a form allows it. Keep Honors and AP bonuses off when you need the unweighted number, then turn weighting on to estimate a school style weighted average for local class rank planning only.
How to interpret your result
The hero shows the primary GPA for the active mode. Metrics compare unweighted and weighted term figures, cumulative values in Cumulative mode, and target requirements in Target mode. The chart shows quality points contributed by each counted course.
Dean's list and scholarships
Many colleges publish a minimum term GPA for Dean's list, often near 3.5 with a full time credit load. Scholarships may require both term and cumulative floors. Use Semester mode for the current term and Cumulative mode to check the running average after grades post.
Repeated courses and forgiveness
Some schools replace the first attempt when you retake a class. Others average both attempts. This GPA calculator treats each row you enter as part of the average. Remove replaced grades manually if your policy drops them from the official calculation.
Transfer credits
Transfer work may count toward graduation without entering the GPA. If a course is credit only, mark it like Pass/Fail so it does not change quality points. Confirm with the receiving school whether transferred letter grades enter the cumulative average.
Limitations
Default points use a common 4.0 plus minus table with A+ capped at 4.0. Weighted bonuses are estimates. Results are educational planning aids, not official academic records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
- The Ohio State University Graduate and Professional Admissions: Calculate GPA: gpadmissions.osu.edu/resources/calculate-gpa.html
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (context on college outcomes; not a GPA formula source): collegescorecard.ed.gov