How to Use the GPA Calculator
Maintaining a high Grade Point Average (GPA) is essential for scholarships, college admissions, and graduation requirements. This gpa calculator simplifies the process of tracking your academic standing by allowing you to calculate both your current term performance and your overall cumulative average.
To get started, follow these simple steps:
- Calculation Method
- Choose "Semester GPA Only" if you just want to see your results for the current term. Choose "Cumulative GPA" if you want to see how your new grades will impact your long-term average.
- Prior Stats (Cumulative Only)
- Enter your current cumulative GPA and the total number of credits you have earned prior to this semester. You can find these on your latest transcript.
- Course Grades & Credits
- For each course, select your letter grade and enter the credit weight (usually 3 or 4 credits per class).
How the GPA Calculation Works
A GPA is a weighted average where your grades are converted into numerical "Quality Points" and then divided by the total number of credits attempted. Most schools use a standard 4.0 scale.
GPA Formula = Total Quality Points / Total Credits Attempted
- Quality Points: Calculated by multiplying the numerical value of your grade (e.g., A = 4.0) by the credits of the course.
- Semester GPA: The sum of points from your current courses divided by current credits.
- Cumulative GPA: The sum of all historical points plus current points, divided by all historical credits plus current credits.
Standard Grade Scale
While some institutions vary, the following is the most common weight assigned by this gpa calculator:
| Letter Grade | Percentage Range | 4.0 Scale Value |
|---|---|---|
| A | 93–100% | 4.0 |
| A- | 90–92% | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87–89% | 3.3 |
| B | 83–86% | 3.0 |
| C | 73–76% | 2.0 |
GPA Calculation Example
Example Scenario: A student has 30 prior credits with a 3.50 GPA. This semester, they took two classes:
- Biology: A (4.0) – 4 Credits. (Points = 4.0 x 4 = 16.0)
- Math: B (3.0) – 3 Credits. (Points = 3.0 x 3 = 9.0)
- Semester Total: 25 Points / 7 Credits = 3.57 Semester GPA.
- Cumulative Total: (Prior: 3.5 x 30 = 105 points) + 25 new points = 130 Total Points.
- Final Result: 130 / 37 total credits = 3.51 Cumulative GPA.
Common Questions
What is a "good" GPA?
A "good" GPA depends on your goals. Generally, a 3.0 or higher is considered respectable. For competitive graduate programs or top-tier universities, a GPA of 3.5 to 4.0 is often expected.
What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
An unweighted GPA is calculated on a standard 4.0 scale regardless of course difficulty. A weighted GPA gives extra points for Honors, AP, or IB courses, often using a 5.0 scale to reflect the increased rigor of the workload.
How do I raise my cumulative GPA?
The best way to raise your GPA is to focus on high-credit courses. Since GPA is a weighted average, an "A" in a 4-credit lab science course will impact your average more significantly than an "A" in a 1-credit physical education class.