Your Grade Point Average condenses every course grade into one number on a 4.0 scale. Here is exactly how it is computed.
The GPA formula
GPA = Σ (grade points × credit hours) ÷ Σ credit hours
Each course contributes its grade points weighted by how many credits it is worth — so a 4-credit class counts twice as much as a 2-credit class.
Step 1: Convert letter grades to grade points
A typical unweighted scale:
- 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 = 1.0, F = 0.0
Some schools add +0.3 for honors and +1.0 for AP or IB courses (weighted GPA) — use your school's scale.
Step 2: Multiply points by credits
| Course | Grade | Points | Credits | Points × Credits | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Biology | A | 4.0 | 4 | 16.0 | | History | B+ | 3.3 | 3 | 9.9 | | Art | A− | 3.7 | 2 | 7.4 |
Step 3: Sum and divide
- Total quality points: 16.0 + 9.9 + 7.4 = 33.3
- Total credits: 4 + 3 + 2 = 9
- GPA = 33.3 ÷ 9 = 3.70
Cumulative vs semester GPA
The same formula applies across all completed courses for cumulative GPA; run it on one semester's courses alone for your term GPA.
Put it into practice
Enter your courses, grades and credit hours on the free GPA Calculator — it handles the weighting and shows the cumulative result instantly. To plan a target grade, follow up with the Final Grade Calculator.
