GPA Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

Select calculation mode. Semester GPA calculates one term. Cumulative GPA combines previous and new semester. GPA Goal determines required grades for target. Converter translates percentages to 4.0 scale.

Select grading scale. Standard 4.0: A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0. Plus/minus: B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7. Weighted 5.0: honors A=5.0, regular A=4.0.

Enter letter grades and credit hours. Course names optional. Running totals update automatically.

What Is GPA?

Your GPA (Grade Point Average) is a single number that summarizes your academic performance across all courses. Instead of listing individual letter grades for each class, a GPA of 3.2 provides a standardized measure of overall achievement. Colleges, scholarship programs, and some employers request GPA as a quick indicator of academic standing.

How the Math Works

Every letter grade converts to a point value: A equals 4.0 points, B equals 3.0, C equals 2.0, D equals 1.0, and F equals zero points. Credit hours determine the weight of each course. A 4-credit course has more impact than a 1-credit course.

Multiply grade by credit hours to get quality points. A (4.0) × 3 credits = 12.0 points. B (3.0) × 4 credits = 12.0 points. GPA = total quality points ÷ total credit hours.

Why Credit Hours Matter

Credit hours weight courses by instructional time. A 4-credit course affects GPA more than a 1-credit course.

An A in a 4-credit course affects GPA four times more than an A in a 1-credit course.

Different Scales Schools Use

Standard 4.0 scale: A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0.

Plus/minus grading: B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7.

Weighted 5.0 scale: honors/AP A=5.0, regular A=4.0. Students can achieve GPAs above 4.0.

Semester vs. Cumulative GPA

Semester GPA covers one term. Varies based on course difficulty and workload.

Cumulative GPA averages all courses completed at your institution and appears on official transcripts. It determines graduation requirements, Latin honors, and scholarship eligibility. Because it encompasses many courses, cumulative GPA changes slowly.

How New Grades Affect Cumulative GPA

New grades impact cumulative GPA based on existing credit total. With fewer credits, each semester significantly affects the average. With many credits, new grades have diminishing impact.

When Each One Matters

Semester GPA determines Dean's List eligibility (typically 3.5+ threshold). Cumulative GPA determines graduation honors, scholarship continuation, and academic standing.

GPA Requirements: College, Scholarships, and Career

GPA affects college admissions, scholarships, graduate school applications, and career opportunities.

College Admissions (High School Students)

GPA is a primary admissions factor. Selective universities typically require GPAs near 4.0. Public universities often require 3.0-3.7. Requirements vary by institution.

Scholarship Eligibility

Academic scholarships establish minimum GPA requirements. Higher GPAs qualify for more scholarship opportunities. Requirements vary by institution and program.

Graduate and Professional School

Graduate programs evaluate GPA alongside other factors. Medical schools calculate science GPA separately. Law schools consider GPA with LSAT. MBA programs consider GPA with work experience. Requirements vary by program.

Undergraduate GPA becomes permanent upon graduation.

Employment Considerations

Some employers request GPA for entry-level positions. Requirements vary by industry. Technology companies increasingly prioritize technical skills.

GPA primarily affects entry-level employment. Work experience becomes more important over time.

Strategies for Improving Your GPA

Earlier semesters have larger GPA impact.

Calculate What is Achievable

Example: 105 credits at 2.5 GPA seeking 3.0. Current points: 2.5 × 105 = 262.5. Target points: 3.0 × 120 = 360. Points needed: 360 - 262.5 = 97.5. Required GPA: 97.5 ÷ 15 = 6.5—impossible (max 4.0).

Maximum achievable: (262.5 + 60) / 120 = 2.69 with 4.0 in remaining credits.

Prioritize High-Credit Courses

An A in 4 credits generates 16 quality points. An A in 1 credit generates 4 points.

Course Retakes

Many institutions allow course retakes for grade replacement. New grade replaces original in GPA calculation (both attempts appear on transcript). Retaking a failed 4-credit course and earning B adds 12 quality points.

Policies vary by institution. Some average attempts, others limit retakes. Retake grades often do not transfer between institutions.

Optimize Course Load

21 credits at 3.0 GPA = 63 quality points. 15 credits at 4.0 GPA = 60 quality points.

Improving C to B in a 4-credit course adds 4 quality points (approximately 0.05-0.10 GPA increase).

Common GPA Calculation Errors

Common GPA calculation errors stem from misunderstanding credit weighting or using incorrect shortcuts.

Failing to Weight by Credit Hours

Most frequent error: ignoring credit weighting. Four courses (A, A, B, B): incorrect calculation (4+4+3+3)/4 = 3.5. If Bs are 4-credit and As are 1-credit: correct calculation (4×1 + 4×1 + 3×4 + 3×4) / 10 = 3.2. This is a 0.3-point difference. Multiply each grade by credit hours before averaging.

Applying Incorrect Grading Scale

B+=3.3 on plus/minus scale vs. 3.0 on standard scale. Use correct institutional scale.

Excluding Failed Courses

All courses count toward GPA unless designated pass/fail or credit/no-credit. Failed courses (F = 0.0) are included. Excluding failures produces inflated estimates.

Confusing Semester and Cumulative GPA

Semester GPA and cumulative GPA are different calculations. Verify which type is displayed.

Premature Rounding

Rounding intermediate steps introduces error. Example: 13.2→13 and 11.1→11 gives 24/7=3.43 vs. correct 24.3/7=3.47. Round only final result.