How GPA is calculated
GPA = total quality points ÷ total credits, where quality points = grade points × credits for each course.The 4.0 scale used here
| Grade | Points | Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ / A | 4.0 | B− | 2.7 |
| A− | 3.7 | C+ | 2.3 |
| B+ | 3.3 | C | 2.0 |
| B | 3.0 | C− / D+ / D | 1.7 / 1.3 / 1.0 |
Colleges vary slightly — some do not use A+, some cap weighted courses differently. This is the most common unweighted 4.0 scale.
Worked example
Five 3-credit courses with grades A, B+, A−, B, A: quality points = (4.0+3.3+3.7+3.0+4.0)×3 = 54, credits = 15, GPA = 54 ÷ 15 = 3.60.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between semester and cumulative GPA?
Semester GPA covers one term only. Cumulative GPA is the weighted average of everything you have completed — enter your previous GPA and credits above to combine them correctly.
Is a weighted GPA different?
Yes: weighted scales award extra points for honours/AP/IB courses (often up to 5.0). This calculator uses the standard unweighted 4.0 scale most colleges report.
How much can one bad grade hurt?
It depends on credits. One F in a 3-credit course among 15 credits pulls a 4.00 semester down to 3.20 — which is why retaking or protecting high-credit courses matters.
Can I raise my cumulative GPA a lot in one term?
The more credits you already have, the less one term moves the average — the maths above shows exactly how much, so you can plan realistically.