About This Tool
Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is a single number that summarizes your academic performance across all courses. Colleges, graduate schools, scholarship committees, and employers use GPA as a quick measure of how well you performed in your coursework. Calculating your GPA by hand requires multiplying each course grade by its credit hours, summing those quality points, and dividing by total credits. This process is tedious when you have dozens of courses across multiple semesters. This GPA Calculator does all the math for you instantly. Add each course with its letter grade and credit hours, and the tool computes your cumulative GPA on the standard 4.0 scale used by most American universities. The calculator also shows your total credit hours, total quality points earned, and your academic classification (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Dean's List, Honors, Good Standing, or Academic Warning). A grade distribution chart gives you a visual breakdown of how your grades are spread across letter-grade ranges. You can use this tool to plan ahead by entering expected grades for upcoming courses to see how they would affect your overall GPA. Students frequently use this approach before their final semester to determine exactly what grades they need to reach a target GPA for graduation honors or graduate school admission requirements.
How GPA Is Calculated
The GPA formula is straightforward: multiply each course's grade points by its credit hours to get quality points, then divide total quality points by total credit hours.
- Quality Points = Grade Points x Credit Hours
- GPA = Total Quality Points / Total Credit Hours
For example, an A (4.0) in a 3-credit course earns 12.0 quality points. A B+ (3.3) in a 4-credit course earns 13.2 quality points. Your GPA would be (12.0 + 13.2) / (3 + 4) = 25.2 / 7 = 3.60.
The 4.0 Grading Scale
Most U.S. colleges and universities use a standard 4.0 grading scale. Here is the full breakdown used by this calculator:
- A+ / A = 4.0 quality points
- A- = 3.7 quality points
- B+ = 3.3 quality points
- B = 3.0 quality points
- B- = 2.7 quality points
- C+ = 2.3 quality points
- C = 2.0 quality points
- C- = 1.7 quality points
- D+ = 1.3 quality points
- D = 1.0 quality points
- D- = 0.7 quality points
- F = 0.0 quality points
Some institutions use a 5.0 scale for honors or AP courses. If your school uses a different scale, you may need to convert before using this tool.
GPA Classifications and Latin Honors
Academic standing and graduation honors are determined by GPA thresholds. While exact cutoffs vary by institution, the general standards are:
- Summa Cum Laude: 3.9 and above
- Magna Cum Laude: 3.7 to 3.89
- Dean's List: 3.5 to 3.69 (per semester)
- Honors / Cum Laude: 3.0 to 3.49
- Good Standing: 2.0 to 2.99
- Academic Warning / Probation: Below 2.0
Check with your registrar for your school's specific thresholds, as some institutions set Summa Cum Laude at 3.8 or define Dean's List differently.
Semester GPA vs. Cumulative GPA
Your semester GPA covers only the courses taken during a single term. Your cumulative GPA includes every course from every semester. Graduate schools and employers almost always ask for the cumulative number.
To calculate your cumulative GPA using this tool, enter all courses from all semesters. To see just one semester's performance, enter only the courses from that term. Comparing semester GPAs over time reveals trends in your academic trajectory and highlights semesters where performance dipped or improved.
Tips for Raising Your GPA
Improving your GPA is possible with deliberate planning. Here are proven strategies:
- Retake failed courses. Many schools replace the old grade with the new one in your GPA calculation.
- Prioritize high-credit courses. An A in a 4-credit class has more impact than an A in a 1-credit class.
- Use grade forgiveness policies. Some universities allow a set number of grade replacements or academic fresh starts.
- Plan your schedule wisely. Balance demanding courses with less intensive ones each semester to avoid burnout.
- Use this calculator to set targets. Enter your projected grades before a semester to see what GPA you can realistically achieve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my GPA if my school uses plus/minus grading?
This calculator fully supports plus/minus grading. Select A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, and so on from the dropdown for each course. The tool assigns the correct point value for each grade (for example, B+ = 3.3, B- = 2.7) and factors those into the weighted calculation automatically.
Does this calculator handle weighted GPA for AP or honors courses?
This calculator uses the standard unweighted 4.0 scale. Weighted GPAs (where AP or honors courses earn up to 5.0) are calculated differently by each high school. For a weighted GPA, you would need to add 1.0 to the grade points for any AP or honors class before entering it, or use a dedicated weighted GPA tool.
What is the difference between GPA and CGPA?
GPA (Grade Point Average) and CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) are often used interchangeably. Technically, GPA can refer to a single semester, while CGPA always refers to the cumulative average across all semesters. To calculate your CGPA, enter every course from every completed semester into the calculator.
Can a single bad grade ruin my GPA?
The impact of one bad grade depends on your total credit hours. Early in your college career, when you have few credits, a single F in a 4-credit course can drop your GPA significantly. Later, when you have 80+ credits completed, that same F has a smaller proportional effect. Use this calculator to model the impact by adding the low grade alongside your existing courses.
What GPA do I need for graduate school?
Requirements vary widely by program. Competitive MBA programs typically expect a 3.5 or higher. Medical schools generally require 3.7 or above. Many master's programs have a minimum threshold of 3.0. Some programs consider the last 60 credits separately from the overall GPA. Always check specific program requirements at your target institution.
How are pass/fail or incomplete courses handled?
Pass/fail courses typically do not count toward your GPA because they carry no quality points. Similarly, incomplete (I) grades are excluded until a final grade is assigned. This calculator only factors in courses with letter grades and credit hours greater than zero, so simply omit any pass/fail or incomplete courses when entering your data.