GPA Calculator
Understanding your Grade Point Average (GPA) is vital for academic success. Our Free GPA Calculator simplifies the process, allowing high school and college students to easily calculate both their semester and cumulative GPA. Enter your courses, grades, and credits to instantly track your performance, set goals, and stay on top of your studies.
Calculate Your GPA (4.0 Scale)
How to Use This Calculator
- Select Scale: Confirm you're using a 4.0 scale (our default).
- Enter Courses: For each course this semester, select your Grade from the dropdown and enter its Credit Hours. Use "Add Course" if needed.
- (Optional) Add Cumulative: If calculating cumulative GPA, enter your Current Cumulative GPA and Total Credits Earned *before* this semester.
- Calculate: Click "Calculate GPA" to see your Semester GPA, Cumulative GPA, and total points/credits.
What is GPA and How is it Calculated?
Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is a numerical representation of your academic performance. It's calculated by dividing your total 'Quality Points' by your total 'Credit Hours'. The formula is: GPA = Total Quality Points / Total Credit Hours.
Standard 4.0 Grading Scale Explained
Most schools in the U.S. use a 4.0 scale. Our calculator uses the following standard values:
| Grade | Point Value |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 |
| 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 |
Understanding Quality Points
Quality Points for a single course are calculated by multiplying the grade's point value by the number of credit hours for that course. For example, getting a 'B' (3.0 points) in a 3-credit course gives you 3.0 * 3 = 9.0 Quality Points.
Weighted vs. Unweighted GPA
Some schools use a 'weighted' GPA, giving extra points for advanced courses (like AP or Honors). This calculator focuses on the standard Unweighted GPA. If your school uses weighted GPA, you'll need to consult their specific guidelines for accurate calculations.
Why Your GPA Matters
Your GPA is often a key factor for: College admissions, scholarship applications, eligibility for academic programs and honors, athletic eligibility, and sometimes even job applications.
Tips for Improving Your GPA
- Develop consistent study habits and time management skills.
- Seek help early from teachers, tutors, or academic advisors if you're struggling.
- Choose courses that align with your strengths and interests, while still challenging yourself.
- Understand course expectations and grading criteria from the syllabus.
- Utilize office hours and review sessions.
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ Index
- How is GPA calculated?
- What is the difference between semester GPA and cumulative GPA?
- Does this calculator work for high school and college GPA?
- What if my school uses a different grading scale (e.g., 5.0 scale or percentages)?
- How do Pass/Fail courses affect my GPA?
- What is a "good" GPA?
- How can I calculate my weighted GPA?
- What if I retake a course? How does that affect my GPA?
- Can I add more than a few courses to the calculator?
- Where can I find my official GPA?
GPA is typically calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. Quality points for a course are found by multiplying the grade value (e.g., A=4.0, B=3.0) by the course's credit hours.
Semester GPA is your grade point average for a single semester's courses. Cumulative GPA is your overall grade point average for all courses taken across all semesters up to a certain point.
Yes, this calculator can be used for both high school and college GPA, as long as your school uses a standard grading scale (like the 4.0 scale) and assigns credit hours to courses.
This calculator is primarily designed for a standard 4.0 letter grade scale. You would need to convert your grades to this scale first or use a calculator specifically designed for your school's system. We may add options for other scales in the future.
Typically, Pass/Fail courses do not affect your GPA. A "Pass" grade usually earns credit hours but does not have associated quality points. A "Fail" grade might earn 0 quality points and could negatively impact GPA if it's factored in as an 'F'. Check your school's policy.
What constitutes a "good" GPA can vary depending on the school, program, and your personal goals. Generally, a GPA of 3.0 or higher is considered good, while 3.5 or higher is often excellent. Specific programs or scholarships may have minimum GPA requirements.
This calculator primarily calculates unweighted GPA. Weighted GPA gives extra quality points for honors, AP, or IB courses. To calculate weighted GPA, you'd need to know your school's specific weighting system (e.g., adding an extra 0.5 or 1.0 point for advanced courses).
School policies on retaking courses vary. Some schools replace the old grade with the new grade in GPA calculation, while others average the two grades, or only count the credits once. Check your institution's academic policy.
Yes, our calculator allows you to dynamically add more rows so you can input all the courses for your semester.
Your official GPA can usually be found on your academic transcript, which is provided by your school's registrar or student records office. This calculator provides an estimate based on the information you enter.