calculation mode
GPA Calculator
Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA) based on course grades and credit hours for a semester or overall academic record.
Click to show tips
Try an Example
Pick a scenario to see how the calculator works, then adjust the values
Final Exam
Calculate grade for a 200-point final exam with 172 points earned
Key values: 172/200 pts · points-based · 86% (B)
Pop Quiz
Quick 50-point pop quiz with 42 points earned
Key values: 42/50 pts · points-based · 84% (B)
Weighted Semester
Calculate weighted grade across assignments, quizzes, midterm, and final
Key values: 4 categories · weighted · full breakdown
GPA Calculation
Grade Point Average (GPA) is a weighted average of your course grades, where the weights are credit hours:
Each letter grade maps to grade points (also called quality points):
| Grade | A | A− | B+ | B | B− | C+ | C | C− | D | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 4.0 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
Worked Example
| Course | Credits | Grade | Points | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus I | 4 | B+ | 3.3 | 13.2 |
| English 101 | 3 | A | 4.0 | 12.0 |
| Chemistry | 4 | B | 3.0 | 12.0 |
| History | 3 | A− | 3.7 | 11.1 |
| Totals | 48.3 | |||
Cumulative vs. Semester GPA
Semester GPA
Uses only courses from a single term. Useful for tracking progress and identifying trends.
Cumulative GPA
Uses all courses ever taken. This is the GPA on your transcript and used for honors, graduate school applications, and academic standing.
How Hard Is It to Raise Your GPA?
After many credits, GPA becomes increasingly resistant to change. To raise your cumulative GPA to a target , the GPA you need in your remaining credits:
Example: Current GPA is 2.8 after 60 credits. You want a 3.0 after 15 more credits.. You'd need nearly a 3.8 GPA over the next semester — almost all A's.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is GPA calculated?
GPA is the sum of () for each course, divided by total credit hours. For example, a 4-credit course with a B+ (3.3) contributes 13.2 quality points. Add up all quality points and divide by total credits.
What is the difference between semester and cumulative GPA?
Semester GPA uses only courses from one term, while cumulative GPA includes every course you have taken across all terms. Cumulative GPA appears on your transcript and is used for honors, graduate admissions, and academic standing.
How hard is it to raise a low GPA?
It gets harder the more credits you have completed. After 60 credits at a 2.8 GPA, reaching a 3.0 requires roughly a 3.8 GPA over 15 new credits. The formula is: .
Does a withdrawal (W) affect my GPA?
In most US institutions, a W (withdrawal) does not count toward GPA because no grade points are assigned. However, too many withdrawals can affect financial aid, academic standing, and how graduate schools view your transcript.
What GPA do I need for the Dean's List?
Requirements vary by institution, but common thresholds are a 3.5 or 3.7 semester GPA with a full-time course load. Some schools also require no grades below a C. Check your university's specific requirements.
Related calculation-mode Variants
Explore more calculation-mode options
More Education Calculators
Explore the category