How GPA is calculated
Your grade point average is a credit-weighted average of your grades. Every letter grade is worth a set number of grade points, and every course is worth a number of credit hours. Multiply the two to get each course's quality points, then divide the total quality points by the total credits:
GPA = Σ(grade points × credits) ÷ Σ(credits)
The 4.0 grade scale
| Letter grade | Grade points |
|---|---|
| A | 4.0 |
| A− | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B− | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C− | 1.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
A quick example
Say you took three courses: an A (4.0) in a 4-credit class, a B (3.0) in a 3-credit class, and a C (2.0) in a 2-credit class. The quality points are 16, 9, and 4 — that's 29 quality points across 9 credits, so your GPA is 29 ÷ 9 = 3.22. Notice the 4-credit A pulls the average up more than the 2-credit C drags it down.
Weighted vs. unweighted
This calculator produces a credit-weighted GPA on the 4.0 scale — heavier courses count more, but the maximum is still 4.0. If your school gives bonus points for honors or AP courses on a 5.0 scale, you can reflect that by treating those courses as worth more grade points than the standard table above.
Frequently asked questions
How is GPA calculated?
Each letter grade maps to grade points (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, and so on). Multiply each course's grade points by its credit hours to get quality points, add up the quality points for all courses, and divide by the total credit hours. The result is your weighted grade point average.
What is the standard 4.0 GPA scale?
On the common unweighted 4.0 scale: A = 4.0, A− = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B− = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C− = 1.7, D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, and F = 0.0. Some schools omit plus/minus grades and use whole numbers only.
Why do credit hours matter for GPA?
GPA is weighted by credits, so a grade in a 4-credit course counts more than the same grade in a 1-credit course. That is why an A in a heavy lab class can lift your GPA more than an A in a one-credit seminar — the calculator handles this weighting automatically.
What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
An unweighted GPA caps every course at 4.0 regardless of difficulty. A weighted GPA gives extra points for honors, AP, or IB courses (often on a 5.0 scale). This tool computes a credit-weighted GPA on the standard 4.0 scale; for a weighted-by-difficulty result, adjust your grade points accordingly.
How can I raise my GPA?
Because GPA is an average weighted by credits, the fastest gains come from strong grades in high-credit courses and from retaking classes where your school replaces the old grade. New high-credit courses move the average more than low-credit ones.
Disclaimer: Grade scales vary by institution. This tool uses the common U.S. 4.0 scale; check your school's official policy for the exact grade-point values and any rounding rules they apply.