GPA Calculator
Calculate your semester GPA on the standard 4.0 scale — enter each course's grade and credit hours.
How GPA is calculated
A (4.0) in a 3-credit class and B (3.0) in a 4-credit class: (4.0×3 + 3.0×4) ÷ 7 = (12 + 12) ÷ 7 = 3.43 GPA.
Fall semester: 15 credits, earning 51 total grade points (a 3.40 semester GPA). Spring semester: 12 credits, earning 45.6 total grade points (a 3.80 semester GPA).
Cumulative GPA is not the average of 3.40 and 3.80 (which would be 3.60). Instead, add the points and credits separately: (51 + 45.6) ÷ (15 + 12) = 96.6 ÷ 27 = 3.58 cumulative GPA. The heavier fall semester pulls the true cumulative figure slightly below the simple average of the two semester GPAs.
The 4.0 scale
| Grade | Points | Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | C+ | 2.3 |
| A− | 3.7 | C | 2.0 |
| B+ | 3.3 | C− | 1.7 |
| B | 3.0 | D | 1.0 |
| B− | 2.7 | F | 0.0 |
GPA is credit-weighted, so a grade in a 4-credit course counts more than the same grade in a 1-credit course. This calculator produces a standard unweighted GPA; if your school gives extra points for honors, AP, or IB classes, your official weighted GPA may be higher. To find the grade you need on a remaining exam, use the grade calculator, and see the underlying weighting logic in the average calculator.
Common GPA mistakes
- Averaging semester GPAs instead of totals. As the cumulative example above shows, a simple average of semester GPAs ignores how many credits each semester carried, and can be noticeably off from the true figure.
- Assuming a retaken course always erases the old grade. Many schools average both attempts into the GPA rather than replacing the grade — check the retake policy before counting on a clean slate.
- Comparing unweighted GPA directly against a weighted GPA. A 3.9 unweighted and a 3.9 weighted (on a 5.0 honors scale) do not represent the same academic performance.
GPA rules also vary by institution in ways that can catch transfer students off guard: some schools recalculate a fresh cumulative GPA using only courses taken there, while others fold in every transferred grade at its original value. Graduate school and scholarship applications often ask for GPA calculated a specific way — over the last 60 credits, or within a major only — so always check whether the number a form is asking for matches the simple cumulative GPA this calculator produces before submitting it.
Frequently asked questions
How is GPA calculated?
Σ(grade points × credits) ÷ Σ credits. A(3cr) + B(4cr) = 3.43.
What are the grade point values?
A = 4.0 down to F = 0.0, with pluses and minuses in between.
Weighted vs. unweighted GPA?
Unweighted caps at 4.0; weighted adds points for honors/AP/IB (often to 5.0).
How do I calculate cumulative GPA across multiple semesters?
Add total grade points across all semesters, add total credits across all semesters, then divide. Don't average the semester GPAs directly unless every semester had equal credits.
Does a repeated or failed course affect GPA differently?
Depends on the school. Some replace the old grade entirely on retake; others average both attempts, so a failed attempt can still drag down GPA. Check your registrar's policy.
Related calculators
Note: Uses the common U.S. 4.0 scale; your institution's exact scale and weighting may differ. Last reviewed: September 2026.