Formula
How this calculator works
Each letter grade converts to a point value, which is multiplied by the credit hours for that course to give quality points. Your GPA is total quality points divided by total credit hours — which is why a four-credit course moves your GPA twice as much as a two-credit one.
quality points = grade points × credit hours GPA = Σ quality points ÷ Σ credit hours
Worked example
| Course | Grade | Points | Credits | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | A | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| History | B | 3.0 | 3 | 9.0 |
| Calculus | A− | 3.7 | 4 | 14.8 |
| Total | — | — | 10 | 35.8 |
35.8 ÷ 10 = a GPA of 3.58. The A− in Calculus contributes more quality points than the A in Biology, purely because it carries an extra credit hour.
Why the scale is selectable
There is no universal GPA scale. Most US institutions use a 4.0 scale, but plenty do not use plus and minus grades, some cap A+ at 4.0 while others allow 4.3, and international systems are different again — the UK, India, Germany and Australia all grade on entirely separate structures.
The selector offers the two most common US variants. If your institution uses something else, its own conversion table is the one to trust.
What this calculator does not do
Weighted GPA
Some schools add points for honours, AP or IB courses. This calculator uses the unweighted scale you select.
Cumulative across terms
It calculates the GPA for the courses you enter. For a cumulative figure, enter every course from every term.
Excluded courses
Some institutions leave pass/fail or remedial courses out of the GPA. Leave those out here too.
Repeated courses
Policies vary — some replace the original grade, some average both. Enter whichever your school counts.
Credit-hour variations
Quarter-hour and semester-hour systems are not interchangeable. Use whichever your transcript states.
Transfer credit
Often carries credit but not grade points. Check before including it.
One thing worth knowing
A single course changes your cumulative GPA far less than students expect once there are several terms behind it — the divisor keeps growing.
Early terms carry disproportionate weight for exactly that reason. A poor first semester is harder to dilute than a poor final one.
Frequently asked questions
How is GPA calculated?
Multiply each course grade points by its credit hours to get quality points, add them all up, then divide by the total credit hours. A four-credit course therefore moves your GPA twice as much as a two-credit one.
Which scale should I use?
The one your institution uses. The selector offers a 4.0 scale with and without plus/minus grades, which covers most US institutions. If yours differs, its own conversion table is the one to trust.
Does a one-credit course affect my GPA as much as a four-credit one?
No. Credit hours are the weighting, so a four-credit course counts four times as much as a one-credit course carrying the same grade.
Is a weighted GPA different?
Yes. Some schools add points for honours, AP or IB courses, so an A might be worth 5.0 rather than 4.0. This calculator uses the unweighted scale you select.
How do I calculate a cumulative GPA?
Enter every course from every term. The calculation is the same; the divisor simply grows, which is why individual courses matter less as you progress.
What about pass/fail courses?
Many institutions exclude them from the GPA entirely. Check your school policy and leave them out if so.
How are repeated courses handled?
Policies vary — some schools replace the original grade, others average both attempts. Enter whichever your institution actually counts.
Does transfer credit count?
Often it carries credit hours but not grade points, meaning it does not affect GPA. Check before including it.
Why does my first semester matter so much?
Because the divisor is small. With only 15 credit hours behind you, a single course shifts the average sharply. After four semesters the same course barely registers.
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