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GPA, calculated course by course.

A GPA calculator that uses the same weighted-average math registrars use, which supports the standard 4.0 scale and the 5.0 weighted scale (with the AP +1.0 / Honors +0.5 convention used by most U.S. high schools).

How it worksReal-time

Inputs

Setup

Standard 4.0 scale. All courses count equally regardless of difficulty.

Courses
4 / 30
Total credits
14
Quality points
49

Tip

Each course needs a letter grade and credit hours. Course names are optional; they help you track which is which but don't affect the math.

Cumulative GPA

on a 4.0 scale

3.5/ 4.0
Very good (B+)14 credits · ≈ 89.4%

Spectrum

0 — 4.0

FDCA · B

Courses

Add your grades

4 / 30
  • cr
  • cr
  • cr
  • cr

Reference

Letter grade scale

Unweighted
GradePointsRange %
A+4.097100
A4.09396
A-3.79092
B+3.38789
B3.08386
B-2.78082
C+2.37779
C2.07376
C-1.77072
D+1.36769
D1.06366
D-0.76062
F0.0059

Field guide

How GPA actually works.

GPA, Grade Point Average, is a single number summarising every grade you've earned, weighted by how many credit hours each course is worth. A 3-credit chemistry class counts three times as much as a 1-credit gym class. The arithmetic is the same as a weighted average:

GPA = Σ(grade_points × credits) ⁄ Σ(credits)

The 4.0 scale

U.S. schools translate letter grades into grade points on a 4.0 scale. The version used by the calculator above — shared by the College Board, the Common App, and the majority of U.S. universities, looks like this:

  • A / A+: 4.0
  • A−: 3.7
  • B+: 3.3, B: 3.0, B−: 2.7
  • C+: 2.3, C: 2.0, C−: 1.7
  • D+: 1.3, D: 1.0, D−: 0.7
  • F: 0.0

A handful of schools award 4.33 for an A+ rather than 4.0. Pick the scale the calculator above offers; it matches the most widely accepted convention.

Unweighted vs weighted

Unweighted GPA caps at 4.0. Every course counts equally. An A in a regular class scores the same as an A in AP Calculus.

Weighted GPA adds bonus points for harder coursework. The standard convention:

  • Regular course: no bonus, capped at 4.0
  • Honors course: +0.5, capped at 4.5
  • AP / IB course: +1.0, capped at 5.0

The bonus only applies when you actually earn points — failing an AP class earns 0.0, not 1.0. The calculator above handles this automatically.

Worked example

Four classes in one semester:

  • English (3 credits): A → 4.0 × 3 = 12.0
  • Math (4 credits): B+ → 3.3 × 4 = 13.2
  • Science (4 credits) — A− → 3.7 × 4 = 14.8
  • History (3 credits): B → 3.0 × 3 = 9.0
GPA = (12.0 + 13.2 + 14.8 + 9.0) ⁄ (3 + 4 + 4 + 3) = 49.0 ⁄ 14 ≈ 3.50

Cumulative vs term GPA

Term GPA covers a single semester or quarter. Cumulative GPA covers your full transcript. The math is identical; just feed it more courses. To compute cumulative GPA without re-typing everything, add a single “course” whose grade equals your prior cumulative GPA and whose “credits” equals the total credits you've already taken.

What counts as a passing grade?

Most U.S. schools consider a D(1.0) the lowest passing grade for a course. A grade of F earns 0.0 GPA points and usually requires retaking the class. Check your school's handbook; some programs (nursing, engineering) require a C− or higher to count toward your major.

Pass/Fail and Credit/No Credit

Pass/Fail courses don't affect GPA at most schools; a P doesn't earn grade points and an NP isn't counted as 0. To handle these in the calculator, just leave them out of the course list.

What's a “good” GPA?

Standards vary wildly by program. Rough U.S. anchors:

  • 3.7+: top tier; competitive for graduate school and elite undergraduate admissions
  • 3.3–3.7: strong; opens almost every door at most universities
  • 3.0–3.3: solid; meets the typical “good academic standing” threshold
  • 2.0–3.0: passing; some scholarships and majors require a higher minimum
  • Below 2.0: academic probation at most U.S. institutions

Retakes & grade replacement

Some schools replace the original grade with the retake grade in your GPA; others average the two. If your registrar uses replacement, just edit the original course row. Don't add a second one.

Disclaimer

This calculator follows the most common U.S. conventions. Your school may use a different scale (4.33, 5.0 across the board, or a percentage-based system). Always trust the transcript over any calculator, including this one.