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GPA Calculator

Free GPA calculator to compute your weighted grade point average on a 4.0 scale using letter grades and credit hours per course. Add unlimited courses.

What Does This GPA Calculator Do?

This GPA calculator computes your weighted grade point average on the standard 4.0 scale. Add each course with its letter grade and credit hours, and the calculator handles the weighting automatically - courses with more credit hours count proportionally more toward your overall GPA.

The Weighted GPA Formula

GPA = Sum(Grade Points × Credit Hours) / Sum(Credit Hours)

Each course contributes "quality points" equal to its grade points multiplied by its credit hours. Summing quality points across all courses and dividing by total credit hours produces a single weighted average - this is why it's called a weighted GPA rather than a simple average of letter grades.

Standard Grade Point Scale (4.0)

Letter GradeGrade Points
A+4.0
A4.0
A-3.7
B+3.3
B3.0
B-2.7
C+2.3
C2.0
C-1.7
D+1.3
D1.0
D-0.7
F0.0

Worked Example

A student takes three courses in a semester:

  • Calculus I - Grade: A (4.0), Credits: 4 -> Quality Points = 4.0 x 4 = 16.0
  • English Composition - Grade: B+ (3.3), Credits: 3 -> Quality Points = 3.3 x 3 = 9.9
  • Chemistry - Grade: B (3.0), Credits: 4 -> Quality Points = 3.0 x 4 = 12.0

Total Quality Points = 16.0 + 9.9 + 12.0 = 37.9
Total Credit Hours = 4 + 3 + 4 = 11
Weighted GPA = 37.9 / 11 = 3.45

Notice the GPA isn't a simple average of 4.0, 3.3, and 3.0 (which would be 3.43) - it's close here because the credit hours are similar, but the gap grows the more credit hours differ between courses.

Cumulative vs. Term GPA

A term (or semester) GPA covers only the courses in one term. A cumulative GPA covers every course you've ever taken toward your degree. Both use the identical formula - to calculate cumulative GPA, simply add every course from every term as its own row and let the calculator weight them all together.

Practical Tips

  • Higher-credit courses matter more: A poor grade in a 4-credit course drags your GPA down more than the same grade in a 1-credit course - focus study time accordingly.
  • Pass/Fail courses don't count: Most schools exclude Pass/Fail grades from GPA math entirely - leave them out of the calculator.
  • Check your school's exact scale: Some institutions use slightly different point values (e.g. A+ = 4.3) - verify against your school's official policy if you need an exact figure for transcripts or applications.
  • Use it to plan ahead: Add a hypothetical future course with a target grade to see what GPA you'd need to reach a specific goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a weighted GPA calculator with credit hours work?
Each course's grade is converted to grade points (e.g. A = 4.0, B+ = 3.3), then multiplied by that course's credit hours to get 'quality points'. Add up all quality points, add up all credit hours, then divide total quality points by total credit hours - that's your weighted GPA. A 4-credit A is worth more toward your GPA than a 1-credit A, which is why credit hours matter.
How do I calculate cumulative GPA?
Cumulative GPA works exactly the same as a single-term GPA, just across every course you've taken. Add every course from every term as a row (grade and credit hours), and the calculator computes one weighted average across all of them - sum of all quality points divided by sum of all credit hours.
What is a GPA calculator for college used for?
College students use a GPA calculator to check their current standing, plan what grades they need in remaining courses to hit a target GPA (e.g. for a scholarship or grad school requirement), and to convert letter grades into a single comparable number across different courses and credit loads.
What is a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale?
A 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale sits between a B+ (3.3) and an A- (3.7) average, generally considered strong academic performance - often described as 'cum laude' territory at many institutions, though exact honors thresholds vary by school.
Does a Pass/Fail or P/NP course affect my GPA?
Most schools exclude Pass/Fail courses from GPA calculations entirely - they count toward credit hours earned but not toward your GPA. This calculator only supports standard letter grades (A+ through F); simply leave Pass/Fail courses out of your entries since they wouldn't affect the weighted average.
Why do A+ and A both equal 4.0?
Most US colleges cap GPA at 4.0, so A+ typically doesn't earn extra points beyond a regular A, even though it's a higher letter grade. Some schools do give A+ a 4.3 or similar boost - check your institution's specific grading policy if precision matters for you.
How do I calculate what grade I need to reach a target GPA?
Add all your completed courses as usual, then add a row for the upcoming course with your target grade and its credit hours, and see what overall GPA that produces. Adjust the grade up or down until the resulting cumulative GPA matches your goal.
Is GPA calculated the same way at every school?
The core math (grade points x credit hours, summed and divided by total credit hours) is standard, but the specific point values for grades like A+ or A- can vary slightly by institution, and some schools use a 5.0 scale for honors/AP courses. This calculator uses the common standard 4.0 scale shown in the reference table below.

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How this is calculated: This tool uses standard, well-established formulas for everyday math calculations. Results are estimates for informational and planning purposes — always double-check figures for anything with real-world consequences (e.g. ordering materials or submitting grades).