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How to Calculate GPA: Formula, Grade Scale and Worked Examples

By SEOAnalytics Lab · Updated · 7 min read

Your grade point average, or GPA, is a single number that sums up how well you have done across all of your courses. Universities use it to decide on scholarships, honors and entry to further study, and employers sometimes ask for it on a first job application. Many students use it without knowing how it is worked out.

This guide explains what GPA is, shows the common 4.0 grade scale and walks through a full worked example. You will also learn the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA, how to work out your cumulative GPA and how to find the grades you need to reach a target.

What is GPA?

GPA stands for grade point average. Each letter grade you earn is changed into a number of grade points, and the points are averaged across your courses. Courses with more credit hours count for more, so a hard 4-credit course affects your GPA more than a 1-credit lab.

The most common system is the 4.0 scale, where an A is worth 4.0 points. Some schools and countries use other scales, such as 5.0, 10 points or percentages, so always check what your own school uses before you compare numbers.

The common 4.0 grade scale

This is the scale many schools use. Yours may differ a little, especially for plus and minus grades, so treat it as a guide.

  • A and A-. A is 4.0 and A- is 3.7.
  • B+, B and B-. B+ is 3.3, B is 3.0 and B- is 2.7.
  • C+, C and C-. C+ is 2.3, C is 2.0 and C- is 1.7.
  • D+ and D. D+ is 1.3 and D is 1.0.
  • F. F is 0.0 and counts as a failed course.

How to calculate GPA step by step

  • Step 1: List your courses. Write down every course for the term, with its credit hours and the grade you earned.
  • Step 2: Change each grade into points. Use your school's grade scale. An A is 4.0, a B is 3.0 and so on.
  • Step 3: Multiply points by credits. For each course, multiply the grade points by the credit hours. The result is called the quality points.
  • Step 4: Add the quality points. Add up the quality points from all courses.
  • Step 5: Add the credit hours. Add up the credit hours of all courses.
  • Step 6: Divide. GPA = total quality points / total credit hours. Round to two decimal places.

Worked example: a semester GPA

A student takes four courses. Calculus has 4 credits and the grade is A, which is 4.0 points, so the quality points are 4 x 4.0 = 16.0. English has 3 credits and a B, which is 3.0 points, so 3 x 3.0 = 9.0. Biology has 3 credits and an A-, which is 3.7 points, so 3 x 3.7 = 11.1. History has 2 credits and a C, which is 2.0 points, so 2 x 2.0 = 4.0.

The total quality points are 16.0 + 9.0 + 11.1 + 4.0 = 40.1. The total credits are 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 12. The GPA is 40.1 / 12 = 3.34 when rounded to two decimal places.

How to calculate cumulative GPA

Your cumulative GPA covers all of your terms together. Do not average your semester GPAs, because terms with more credits should count for more. Instead, add all quality points from every term and divide by all credits.

For example, a student has 30 credits with a GPA of 3.2 so far, which is 30 x 3.2 = 96 quality points. The new term has 15 credits with a GPA of 3.8, which is 15 x 3.8 = 57 quality points. The new cumulative GPA is (96 + 57) / (30 + 15) = 153 / 45 = 3.40.

Weighted and unweighted GPA

An unweighted GPA treats every course equally, so an A is always 4.0. A weighted GPA gives extra points for harder courses. Some schools add 0.5 for honors courses and 1.0 for advanced courses such as AP or IB, so an A in an advanced class can count as 5.0.

Weighted rules vary from school to school, so use the system your school publishes. If you apply to a university, check whether it asks for the weighted or the unweighted number.

How to find the grades you need for a target GPA

You can work backwards to see what you need. Suppose you have 60 credits and a GPA of 3.0, which is 180 quality points. You plan to take 15 more credits and want a cumulative GPA of 3.1. After the new term you will have 75 credits, so you need 3.1 x 75 = 232.5 quality points in total.

That means you need 232.5 - 180 = 52.5 more quality points from 15 credits, which is 52.5 / 15 = 3.5 on average. In practice, you need a mix of A and B+ grades. If you wanted 3.2 instead, you would need 4.0 in every course, which shows how hard it is to move a GPA once many credits are behind you.

Ways to improve your GPA

  • Focus on high-credit courses. A 4-credit course moves your GPA more than a 1-credit course, so give it more of your time.
  • Retake a course if your school allows it. Many schools replace or average the old grade, but rules differ, so ask your advisor first.
  • Balance your course load. Mix demanding courses with lighter ones, so you can do well in all of them.
  • Get help early. Use office hours, study groups and tutoring before a low grade is locked in.
  • Track your GPA each term. Check it regularly and plan your next term using the target method above.

Common GPA mistakes

  • Averaging semester GPAs. Terms have different credit totals, so a simple average gives a wrong answer.
  • Ignoring credit hours. A GPA is weighted by credits. Treating all courses as equal gives a wrong number.
  • Using the wrong scale. A grade point value at one school may be different at another. Use your school's own scale.
  • Counting courses that are not graded. Pass or fail and audit courses are usually left out of the GPA, but policies differ.
  • Rounding too early. Keep full numbers until the end, then round the final GPA.

Calculate your GPA now

Our free GPA calculator adds up your courses, credit hours and grades for you and shows your cumulative GPA. It is free, runs in your browser and needs no signup. Your school's official GPA is the one that counts, so use the calculator to plan and to check your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate my GPA?

Change each grade into points, multiply by the credit hours, add up the results and divide by the total credit hours.

What is a good GPA?

It depends on your school and goals. On a 4.0 scale, a GPA above 3.0 is generally seen as good, and 3.5 or higher is often needed for honors.

What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?

An unweighted GPA treats all courses equally. A weighted GPA adds extra points for harder courses such as honors or advanced classes.

Can I convert my percentage to a GPA?

There is no single formula, because schools use different tables. Use the conversion chart from your own school or university.

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