Study & writing
GPA calculator
Enter each course's letter grade and credit hours to get your GPA on the standard US 4.0 scale.
Set a course's credits to 0 to leave it out. Credit hours are usually 3 or 4 for a full semester course.
How GPA is calculated
Grade point average weights each course by how many credit hours it carries, so a 4-credit course counts more than a 1-credit one. The method has three steps. First, convert each letter grade to its grade points on the 4.0 scale: A is 4.0, B is 3.0, C is 2.0, D is 1.0 and F is 0, with plus and minus grades in between. Second, multiply each grade's points by that course's credit hours to get its quality points. Third, add up all the quality points and divide by the total credit hours: GPA = total quality points ÷ total credit hours. For an A in a 4-credit course (16 points), a B+ in 3 credits (9.9), a B in 3 credits (9.0) and an A− in 3 credits (11.1), that is 46.0 quality points over 13 credits, giving a GPA of 3.54.
| Letter | Grade points | Letter | Grade points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | C+ | 2.3 |
| A− | 3.7 | C | 2.0 |
| B+ | 3.3 | C− | 1.7 |
| B | 3.0 | D | 1.0 |
| B− | 2.7 | F | 0.0 |
Reading your GPA
On the 4.0 scale, a 3.0 is roughly a B average, a 3.5 and up is often the honours or dean's-list range, and below a 2.0 typically triggers academic probation at US colleges. Because GPA is credit-weighted, a poor grade in a heavy course drags it down more than the same grade in a light one, which is where students are most often surprised. This tool calculates an unweighted 4.0 GPA, the most common standard; it does not add the extra point that some high schools give honours or AP classes on a weighted 5.0 scale, so a weighted GPA from a transcript will read higher. Grading tables also vary by school, with some not using A− or treating a D+ differently, so check your institution's official scale before relying on a number for applications.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my GPA by hand?
Multiply each course's grade points by its credit hours to get quality points, add those up, then divide by your total credit hours. For example, 46 quality points across 13 credits is a GPA of 3.54.
What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
Unweighted GPA caps every course at 4.0. A weighted GPA adds extra points for honours or AP courses, often on a 5.0 scale, so it can exceed 4.0. This calculator produces an unweighted 4.0 GPA.
What counts as a good GPA?
It depends on the school and goal, but a 3.0 is a solid B average, 3.5 and above is often honours level, and below 2.0 can risk probation. Competitive programs frequently look for 3.5 or higher.