What is GPA?
Grade point average (GPA) summarises your academic performance as a single number, usually on a scale from 0 to 4.0. Each letter grade is converted into grade points, an A is worth 4.0, a B is 3.0 and so on, and the points are averaged with each course weighted by its credit hours. A four-credit lab course therefore counts twice as much as a two-credit seminar.
Universities use GPA for academic standing, honours, scholarships and progression, and employers and graduate schools often ask for it. This calculator gives you your semester GPA. To combine several semesters, use the CGPA calculator.
How to use the GPA calculator
- Enter each course name (optional), its credit hours and the letter grade you received or expect.
- Use Add course for more rows and the bin icon to remove one.
- Your GPA, total credits and quality points update instantly. Copy the result to keep a record.
How GPA is calculated
GPA = Σ (credits × grade points) ÷ Σ credits
| Grade | Points | Grade | 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 |
This is the most common 4.0 scale. Some universities award 4.3 for an A+, do not use minus grades, or use a different scale entirely, so check your institution's handbook.
Example
Calculus (3 credits, A), Physics (4 credits, B+), Literature (3 credits, B) and Spanish (2 credits, C+) give quality points of 3 × 4.0 + 4 × 3.3 + 3 × 3.0 + 2 × 2.3 = 38.8. Dividing by 12 credits gives a GPA of 3.23.
More worked examples
Equal credits: four 3-credit courses graded A, A−, B+ and B give (4.0 + 3.7 + 3.3 + 3.0) ÷ 4 = 3.50.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Averaging grades without credits. A 4-credit course counts more than a 1-credit one.
- Including pass/fail courses. They usually earn credit but no grade points.
- Using the wrong scale. Some schools give A+ 4.3. To combine semesters, use the CGPA calculator.
Sources and methodology
The calculations on this page follow these published standards and references. The code is covered by automated tests against known values.