Guides

How to calculate your GPA

Your grade point average is just a credit-weighted average of your grades. Once you see how the pieces fit, you can work it out for any semester in a minute.

Step 1: turn letter grades into points

On the standard 4.0 scale, each letter grade is worth a number of grade points:

• 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

Step 2: weight each grade by its credits

A five-credit class should count more than a one-credit class, so you multiply each grade's points by the course's credit hours. Add up those products, then divide by the total credits.

A worked example

Say you took three 3-credit courses and earned an A, an A, and a B. That is (4.0×3) + (4.0×3) + (3.0×3) = 12 + 12 + 9 = 33 grade points across 9 credits. Divide: 33 ÷ 9 = a 3.67 GPA. The GPA calculator does this instantly as you add each course.

Weighted vs unweighted GPA

An unweighted GPA caps every course at 4.0, no matter how hard it is. A weighted GPA gives bonus points for advanced classes such as Honors or AP, so it can climb above 4.0. High schools often report a weighted GPA; most colleges recalculate to their own scale.

What is a good GPA?

It depends on your goals, but as a rough guide: a 3.0 is solid, 3.5 and above is strong, and 3.7 or higher is often called excellent. Many scholarships, honor societies, and competitive programs set thresholds in this range. Always check the specific bar for the opportunity you are after.

How to raise your GPA

Credits are leverage. A strong grade in a heavy course lifts your average more than the same grade in a light one, and a weak grade in a heavy course drags it down hardest. If you are aiming for a target this term, the grade calculator tells you exactly what score you need on a final to get there.