Cumulative GPA Calculator
Course Name (Optional)
Credits
Grade
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F
Your Cumulative GPA: —
var courseCounter = 0; // To give unique IDs to new rows
function addCourseRow() {
courseCounter++;
var courseRowsDiv = document.getElementById('courseRows');
var newRow = document.createElement('div');
newRow.className = 'course-row';
newRow.style.cssText = 'display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 10px;';
newRow.innerHTML = `
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
F
`;
courseRowsDiv.appendChild(newRow);
}
function removeCourseRow(button) {
var rowToRemove = button.parentNode;
rowToRemove.parentNode.removeChild(rowToRemove);
}
function calculateGPA() {
var courseRows = document.querySelectorAll('#courseRows .course-row');
var totalGradePoints = 0;
var totalCredits = 0;
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('gpaResult');
if (courseRows.length === 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Your Cumulative GPA: Please add at least one course.';
return;
}
for (var i = 0; i < courseRows.length; i++) {
var creditsInput = courseRows[i].querySelector('.course-credits');
var gradeSelect = courseRows[i].querySelector('.course-grade');
var credits = parseFloat(creditsInput.value);
var gradePoints = parseFloat(gradeSelect.value);
if (isNaN(credits) || credits <= 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Your Cumulative GPA: Please enter valid positive credits for all courses.';
return;
}
totalCredits += credits;
totalGradePoints += (credits * gradePoints);
}
if (totalCredits === 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Your Cumulative GPA: Cannot calculate with zero total credits.';
} else {
var cumulativeGPA = totalGradePoints / totalCredits;
resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Your Cumulative GPA: ' + cumulativeGPA.toFixed(2);
}
}
Understanding Your Cumulative GPA
Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is a widely used indicator of your academic performance. It's a numerical representation of the average of your grades, weighted by the credit hours of each course. The Cumulative GPA specifically refers to the average of all grades earned throughout your entire academic career at a particular institution.
How is Cumulative GPA Calculated?
The calculation of your cumulative GPA involves a simple, yet crucial, formula:
Cumulative GPA = (Total Grade Points Earned) / (Total Credit Hours Attempted)
To break this down:
- Assign Grade Points: Each letter grade you receive in a course is assigned a numerical value, known as grade points. While scales can vary slightly between institutions, a common 4.0 scale is used:
- 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
- D- = 0.7
- F = 0.0
- Calculate Course Grade Points: For each course, multiply the grade points for the grade you received by the number of credit hours for that course.
Example: A 3-credit course with a 'B' (3.0 grade points) = 3 credits * 3.0 grade points = 9 total grade points for that course. - Sum Total Grade Points: Add up the grade points from all your courses.
- Sum Total Credit Hours: Add up the credit hours for all your courses.
- Divide: Divide the total grade points by the total credit hours to get your cumulative GPA.
Example Calculation:
Let's say you've taken the following courses:
- Calculus I: 4 Credits, Grade A (4.0 points)
- English Composition: 3 Credits, Grade B+ (3.3 points)
- Introduction to Psychology: 3 Credits, Grade B (3.0 points)
- Chemistry Lab: 1 Credit, Grade A- (3.7 points)
Here's how the calculator processes it:
- Calculus I: 4 credits * 4.0 = 16 grade points
- English Composition: 3 credits * 3.3 = 9.9 grade points
- Introduction to Psychology: 3 credits * 3.0 = 9.0 grade points
- Chemistry Lab: 1 credit * 3.7 = 3.7 grade points
Total Grade Points: 16 + 9.9 + 9.0 + 3.7 = 38.6
Total Credit Hours: 4 + 3 + 3 + 1 = 11
Cumulative GPA: 38.6 / 11 = 3.51
Why is Your Cumulative GPA Important?
Your cumulative GPA is a critical metric for several reasons:
- Academic Standing: Many institutions use GPA to determine academic probation or eligibility for honors.
- Scholarships & Financial Aid: A higher GPA can qualify you for various scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs.
- Graduate School Admissions: Graduate and professional schools heavily weigh your GPA as an indicator of your academic capability.
- Job Applications: Some employers, especially for entry-level positions, may request your GPA.
- Transferring Credits: If you plan to transfer to another institution, your GPA will be a key factor in the admission process.
Use this calculator to track your academic progress and understand how each course contributes to your overall GPA.