Education

GPA Calculator

Calculate your weighted GPA from any number of courses. Add course names, credit hours, and letter grades to get your cumulative grade point average instantly.

Cumulative GPA

3.57

Based on 9 credit hours

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GPA Formula

GPA is the weighted average of grade points, where each course is weighted by its credit hours.

GPA = Σ(Grade Points × Credits) ÷ Σ Credits

Example: (4.0 × 3) + (3.0 × 3) = 21 pts ÷ 6 credits = 3.5 GPA

A / A+

4.0

A−

3.7

B+

3.3

B

3.0

C

2.0

D

1.0

Understanding GPA

Grade Point Average (GPA) is the most widely used measure of academic performance in the United States. Colleges use it to evaluate academic standing, determine eligibility for honors, and screen applicants for graduate programs or scholarships. Employers in some fields also request GPA on job applications for new graduates.

The 4.0 scale makes it easy to compare academic performance across different courses and institutions. Because the calculation weights each course by its credit hours, a 4-credit course has twice the impact of a 2-credit course. Focusing improvement efforts on high-credit courses is the most efficient strategy for GPA recovery.

Frequently asked questions

How is GPA calculated?
GPA is a weighted average of grade points across all courses. Each letter grade is converted to grade points (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, etc.) and then multiplied by the course credit hours. The sum of (grade points × credits) is divided by the total credits to produce the GPA. This weighting ensures that higher-credit courses have more influence on the final GPA.
What is a 4.0 GPA scale?
The 4.0 scale is the standard US grading system where A grades earn 4.0 grade points and F earns 0 grade points. Some institutions use grade modifiers: A+ and A both earn 4.0, A- earns 3.7, B+ earns 3.3, B earns 3.0, B- earns 2.7, and so on down to D- at 0.7. Most colleges use this scale for academic standing and scholarship eligibility.
What GPA do I need to graduate with honors?
Graduation honors thresholds vary by institution, but common standards are: Cum Laude (with honor) requires a 3.5 GPA, Magna Cum Laude (with great honor) requires 3.7 GPA, and Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) requires 3.9 GPA. Always verify with your specific college or university for exact requirements, as some schools weight class rank or credit hours differently.
Does a failing grade permanently hurt my GPA?
An F (0.0 grade points) significantly lowers GPA because it counts as 0 points while still consuming credit hours in the denominator. Many schools allow grade forgiveness through retaking the course — the original F may be replaced or averaged with the new grade depending on policy. Check your institution's academic policies for grade replacement options.
How many credits does it take to raise a low GPA?
Raising a GPA takes many credit hours of high grades because GPA is a cumulative weighted average. If you have a 2.0 GPA after 60 credits, you would need approximately 60 more credits at 4.0 to raise your GPA to 3.0. A general rule: the more credits you have, the more A grades required to move the needle meaningfully.