# GPA calculator

> Your GPA (grade point average) is total grade points divided by total credits. Letters convert to points on a 4.0 scale (A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0), and each course counts in proportion to the credits. With A, B+, A-, and B in courses worth 3, 3, 4, and 3 credits, the semester GPA is 45.7 ÷ 13 = 3.52.

Source: https://www.calterix.com/en-us/calculator/gpa/ · Updated 11/06/2026 · en-US

## How to calculate GPA

Turn each letter grade into grade points, multiply the points by the course credits, add those results, and divide by the total credits. A 4-credit A counts more than a 1-credit A because credits act as weights.

```
Grade points for a course = points for the letter × credits
GPA = total grade points ÷ total credits
Cumulative GPA = (old GPA × old credits + new grade points) ÷ (old credits + new credits)
```
Example: A (4.0) in 3 credits and B (3.0) in 3 credits gives (12 + 9) ÷ 6 = 3.50.

GPA is a weighted average with credits as the weights. For other weighted grade math, such as a course with exams at 40% and homework at 20%, use the [weighted average calculator](https://www.calterix.com/en-us/calculator/average/weighted-average/).

## The 4.0 grade scale

| Letter | Plus/minus scale | Letters only |
| --- | --- | --- |
| A+ | 4.0 (some schools use 4.3) | 4.0 |
| A | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| A- | 3.7 | 4.0 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 3.0 |
| B | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| B- | 2.7 | 3.0 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 2.0 |
| C | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| C- | 1.7 | 2.0 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 1.0 |
| D | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| D- | 0.7 | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 | 0.0 |

A common scale. Your school may use different values.

> Schools differ on A+, on whether minus grades exist, and on how honors or AP courses are scored. Some add extra points to those courses, but each school sets its own rule, so the calculator does not add them. Enter your school values as grade points (like 3.5) if they differ.

## Worked examples

| Grades | Credits | Math | GPA |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A, B+, A-, B | 3, 3, 4, 3 | (12 + 9.9 + 14.8 + 9) ÷ 13 | 3.52 |
| A, A, A | 3, 3, 3 | 36 ÷ 9 | 4.00 |
| B+, C (letters only) | 3, 3 | (9 + 6) ÷ 6 | 2.50 |
| Cumulative: 3.2 over 45 credits, plus the first row | 58 credits | (144 + 45.7) ÷ 58 | 3.27 |

Answers checked by hand.

GPA needed next term: with a 3.2 over 45 credits and a goal of 3.3 after 15 more credits, the math is (3.3 × 60 − 144) ÷ 15 = 3.6. That is about a mix of A- and A grades.

## Common mistakes

- Averaging the letters without credits. A plain average of A and C is 3.0, but with 4 credits in the A and 1 in the C, the GPA is 3.6.
- Counting pass/fail or transfer credits in the credits so far. Many schools leave them out of the GPA, so check yours.
- Using the same scale as a friend at another school. Scales and A+ values differ.
- Expecting one term to move a big cumulative GPA. The more credits you have, the slower the GPA changes.

GPA is only one piece of the picture. For other grade math, the [average calculator](https://www.calterix.com/en-us/calculator/average/) covers mean, median, and mode, and the [percentage calculator](https://www.calterix.com/en-us/calculator/percentage/) converts scores to percents.

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I calculate my GPA?

Convert each letter grade to points, multiply by the credits, add everything up, and divide by the total credits. A, B+, A-, and B in 3, 3, 4, and 3 credits give 45.7 ÷ 13 = 3.52.

### How do I calculate my cumulative GPA?

Multiply your old GPA by your old credits, add this semester's grade points, and divide by all credits. With a 3.2 over 45 credits and 45.7 new points over 13 credits, the result is 189.7 ÷ 58 = 3.27.

### How do credits affect GPA?

Credits act as weights. A grade in a 4-credit course moves your GPA more than the same grade in a 1-credit course.

### What GPA do I need to reach a 3.4?

Use the GPA I need tab. It solves (goal × total credits − points so far) ÷ next credits. With a 3.2 over 45 credits and 15 more credits, a 3.4 takes a 4.0 next term.

### Is a GPA calculated the same way at every school?

No. The 4.0 scale is common, but schools differ on plus and minus grades, A+ values, honors and AP weighting, repeated courses, and rounding. Your registrar has the official number.

### How do I calculate GPA with plus and minus grades?

Add or subtract 0.3 from the base letter on the plus/minus scale: B+ is 3.3 and B- is 2.7. Many schools cap the A at 4.0, so A+ and A both count as 4.0, though some use 4.3 for an A+.