Semester GPA from letter grades and credits
List each course grade and its credits. The GPA weighs each grade by the credits.
- A (4 points) × 3 credits12
- B+ (3.3 points) × 3 credits9.9
- A- (3.7 points) × 4 credits14.8
- B (3 points) × 3 credits9
- Total credits13
- Total grade points45.7
- Semester GPA3.52
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.
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.
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 |
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 |
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 covers mean, median, and mode, and the percentage calculator 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+.
Sources and method
Standard public-domain formulas. Every calculation is checked against independent numeric tests before it goes live.