GPA Calculator
Calculate semester GPA and cumulative GPA from letter grades, credit hours, grade points, and your current academic record — with a course contribution chart and step-by-step formula.
Letter grade
A-
course result
Grade points
3.7
4.0 scale
Credit weight
x 3 = 11.1
course points
Calculating GPA...
Enter your courses, credits, and grades, then click Calculate GPA.
What Is a GPA Calculator?
A GPA calculator converts course letter grades and credit hours into a grade point average. This tool calculates both semester GPA, which measures one term, and cumulative GPA, which combines your previous academic record with the current semester.
GPA is a credit-weighted average. A 4-credit science class affects your GPA more than a 1-credit seminar, even if both have the same letter grade. That is why this calculator asks for credit hours beside every grade instead of averaging letter grades equally.
How GPA Is Calculated
Letter Grade
A-
Course result
Grade Points
3.7
4.0 scale
Credits
x 3
Course weight
Total Points
11.1
3.7 x 3
Semester formula
GPA = Total Grade Points / GPA Credits
Example: 44.3 grade points / 13 credits = 3.41 semester GPA.
Course contribution visual
Cumulative update
Semester GPA vs Cumulative GPA
Semester GPA
Semester GPA uses only the courses in the current term. It is the best way to measure how you performed this semester.
Cumulative GPA
Cumulative GPA combines all completed GPA credits with the current term. It changes more slowly as you earn more credits.
To update cumulative GPA, multiply your current GPA by completed credits to get previous grade points. Then add this semester's grade points and divide by the new total GPA credits.
GPA Formula with Credit Hours
Course grade points
grade points = grade value x credit hours
Semester GPA
semester GPA = sum(course grade points) / sum(GPA credits)
Cumulative GPA
new GPA = (old GPA x old credits + semester points) / total credits
Letter Grade to GPA Scale
This calculator uses a common 4.0 GPA scale. Schools can set different policies, especially for A+, honors, AP, IB, repeated courses, withdrawals, and pass/fail classes. Always compare results with your transcript or registrar's official scale.
| Grade | Points | GPA status |
|---|---|---|
| A+ / A | 4.0 | Counts |
| A- | 3.7 | Counts |
| B+ | 3.3 | Counts |
| B | 3.0 | Counts |
| B- | 2.7 | Counts |
| C+ | 2.3 | Counts |
| C | 2.0 | Counts |
| C- | 1.7 | Counts |
| D+ | 1.3 | Counts |
| D | 1.0 | Counts |
| D- | 0.7 | Counts |
| F | 0.0 | Counts |
| P, W, I | - | Excluded |
How to Improve Your GPA
The fastest way to raise GPA is to earn strong grades in higher-credit courses, because GPA is weighted by credits. If you already have many completed credits, one semester changes cumulative GPA less than it did early in your academic record.
Use the calculator with different grade scenarios before finals. For example, change a 4-credit course from B to A- and compare the GPA change against changing a 1-credit seminar. The result shows which courses have the largest mathematical impact.
Trusted GPA and College Planning Resources
Use this calculator for planning, then confirm official GPA rules with your school. These external education resources help with academic planning, college research, and understanding how GPA is described in U.S. education contexts.
GPA Calculator FAQ
How do I calculate my semester GPA?
Convert each letter grade to grade points, multiply by course credits, add all course grade points, then divide by total GPA-counting credits.
How do I calculate cumulative GPA?
Multiply your current GPA by completed credits, add this semester's grade points, then divide by completed credits plus this semester's GPA credits.
Do pass/fail classes affect GPA?
Usually no. Pass, withdrawn, and incomplete rows are excluded from GPA credits in this calculator, although they may still appear on a transcript.
What is the difference between GPA credits and total credits?
GPA credits are credits attached to grades that count in the GPA formula. Total credits may include pass/fail, transfer, withdrawn, or other excluded courses.
Can this GPA calculator be used for high school?
Yes, if your school uses credit hours or course weights. For weighted honors or AP scales, adjust the grade values only if your school awards more than 4.0 points.
Why does my school GPA differ from this calculator?
Schools may use different A+ values, rounding rules, repeated-course policies, transfer-credit rules, or weighted-course systems. Use your school's official policy for final decisions.
How many A grades do I need to raise my GPA?
It depends on current GPA, completed credits, the number of new credits, and the grades earned. Try adding future courses with A grades to estimate the impact.
Is an A+ worth 4.0 or more?
This calculator treats A+ as 4.0 because many colleges cap standard GPA at 4.0. Some schools award 4.3 or use weighted scales, so check your official grading policy.