How to Calculate GPA
Your GPA (grade point average) is the credit-weighted average of your grade points. Here is how to work it out by hand, with examples. Or skip the math and use the GPA calculator.
The 4 steps
- Convert each letter grade to grade points. On the standard scale, A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, and so on down to F = 0. The full list is on the GPA scale page.
- Multiply each grade's points by the class's credits. This gives the "quality points" for that class.
- Add up all quality points and all credits.
- Divide total quality points by total credits. The result is your GPA. Round to two decimals.
Example: college semester
| Course | Grade | Points | Credits | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus I | B | 3.0 | 4 | 12.0 |
| Intro to Psychology | A | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| Composition | A- | 3.7 | 3 | 11.1 |
| Chemistry Lab | C+ | 2.3 | 1 | 2.3 |
| Total | 11 | 37.4 | ||
37.4 ÷ 11 = 3.40 GPA. Notice how the 4-credit B pulls the average down more than the 1-credit C+.
Example: high school, weighted
For a weighted GPA, add a bonus to the grade points of harder classes before multiplying. A common rule is +0.5 for honors and +1.0 for AP or IB.
| Course | Level | Grade | Weighted points | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Biology | AP | A | 5.0 | 1 |
| Honors English | Honors | B+ | 3.8 | 1 |
| Spanish II | Regular | A- | 3.7 | 1 |
| PE | Regular | A | 4.0 | 0.5 |
(5.0 + 3.8 + 3.7 + 2.0) ÷ 3.5 = 4.14 weighted GPA. The same grades give an unweighted GPA of (4.0 + 3.3 + 3.7 + 2.0) ÷ 3.5 = 3.71.
How to calculate cumulative GPA
To combine terms, do not average the term GPAs. Terms with more credits must count more. Instead:
- Multiply your previous cumulative GPA by the credits it covers. This gives your previous quality points.
- Add this term's quality points.
- Divide by the total of all credits.
Example: 3.20 over 45 credits is 144 quality points. A new term of 15 credits with 3.80 adds 57 points. (144 + 57) ÷ 60 = 3.35.
How to convert a percentage to GPA
Convert the percentage to a letter grade first, then use that letter's points. With the common scale, 93% and above is an A (4.0), 90-92% an A- (3.7), 87-89% a B+ (3.3) and so on. Schools set their own cutoffs, so check your syllabus.
Common mistakes
- Averaging letter grades without credits. A 1-credit class and a 4-credit class do not count the same.
- Including pass/fail or withdrawn classes. These usually carry no grade points and are left out.
- Mixing weighted and unweighted numbers. Compare like with like when looking at college requirements.
- Averaging term GPAs for a cumulative GPA. Weight each term by its credits instead.
Ready to try it? Use the GPA calculator.