GPA Calculator
Add your courses with letter grades and credit hours to get your GPA on the standard 4.0 scale.
Last updated: October 2026
Your courses
How GPA is calculated
Your GPA (grade point average) is a credit-weighted average. Each letter grade converts to a number of grade points, you multiply by the course's credit hours, add up all the points, and divide by total credit hours:
Weighting by credits is the key detail: an A in a 4-credit class contributes twice as many points as an A in a 2-credit class. That is why a bad grade in a heavy course hurts more, and a good grade in one helps more.
The 4.0 grade-point scale
This calculator uses the most common US college scale. Note that some schools weight differently (an A+ as 4.3, or no plus/minus grades at all), so check your school's official scale for anything official like graduation honors or scholarship eligibility.
| Letter grade | Grade points | Letter grade | Grade points |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 | C+ | 2.3 |
| A | 4.0 | C | 2.0 |
| A- | 3.7 | C- | 1.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | D+ | 1.3 |
| B | 3.0 | D | 1.0 |
| B- | 2.7 | F | 0.0 |
Worked example
Take a student with four courses this semester:
- English Composition: A (4.0 points) × 3 credits = 12.0 grade points
- Calculus I: B+ (3.3 points) × 4 credits = 13.2 grade points
- Biology Lab: A- (3.7 points) × 1 credit = 3.7 grade points
- US History: B (3.0 points) × 3 credits = 9.0 grade points
Total grade points: 12.0 + 13.2 + 3.7 + 9.0 = 37.9. Total credits: 3 + 4 + 1 + 3 = 11. GPA = 37.9 / 11 = 3.45. Notice how the B+ in the 4-credit Calculus class contributes more points (13.2) than the A in 3-credit English (12.0): credits decide how much each grade weighs.
Weighted vs. unweighted GPA
An unweighted GPA (what this calculator gives) caps at 4.0 and treats every class equally. A weighted GPA adds bonus points for harder courses: typically +0.5 for honors and +1.0 for AP/IB, pushing the scale to 5.0. High schools use weighted GPAs to reward students who take tough schedules; colleges then often recalculate everything back to unweighted so applicants are comparable. If your school reports weighted GPAs, ask which scale scholarship cutoffs use: a "3.5 minimum" on a 5.0 scale is a very different bar than on a 4.0 scale.
Tips for raising your GPA
Target high-credit courses first. Because GPA is credit-weighted, one grade change in a 4-credit course moves your GPA about four times as much as the same change in a 1-credit course. Put study hours where the credits are.
Retake your worst grade if your school allows replacement. Many colleges let a retake replace the old grade in your GPA calculation. Turning an F into a B can jump a GPA more than a whole semester of good grades.
Protect the easy wins. Attendance, participation, and homework are often 10 to 20 percent of a grade and the cheapest points you will ever earn. Students lose more GPA to skipped assignments than to hard exams.
Know the math before finals week. Use the final exam calculator to see exactly what score you need on each final: it turns vague panic into a concrete target.
GPA FAQs
How is GPA calculated?
Each letter grade converts to grade points on the 4.0 scale (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, and so on). Multiply each course's points by its credit hours, add everything up, and divide by total credit hours. That is the number the calculator above computes.
Is an A+ worth more than an A?
On the standard 4.0 scale used here, both are worth 4.0 points, so an A+ does not raise your GPA above a straight A. Some high schools use weighted scales that go to 4.3 or 5.0, where plus grades and honors courses can push higher.
What is a good GPA in college?
Context matters, but broadly: 3.0 keeps most doors open, 3.5 is competitive for internships and many graduate programs, and 3.7 or higher is strong for competitive fields and scholarships. Employers care less about GPA after your first job.
Do all schools use the same grade scale?
No. The 4.0 scale here is the most common in the US, but some schools use plus/minus differently, some count A+ as 4.3, and many countries use entirely different systems. Always check your school's official scale for anything that counts, like graduation or scholarship eligibility.
What is a weighted GPA?
A weighted GPA gives extra points for harder courses, typically honors, AP, or IB classes. On a 5.0 weighted scale, an A in an AP class might count as 5.0 instead of 4.0. Colleges often recalculate your GPA on their own unweighted scale anyway.
If I retake a failed course, does the F still count?
It depends on the school. Many colleges replace the old grade with the new one in your GPA, while others average the two attempts. The failed attempt usually stays visible on your transcript either way. Check your school's grade replacement policy.
How can I raise my GPA quickly?
High-credit courses move the needle most, since GPA is credit-weighted. One A in a 4-credit class helps more than an A in a 1-credit lab. Retaking a low grade under a replacement policy is the fastest single move, because it erases the old points.
Does GPA matter after graduation?
For your first job or graduate school application, yes, it is often a filter. After a few years of work experience, almost nobody asks. Skills, portfolio, and references take over completely.