What is the GPA Calculator?
Grade point average (GPA) is a commonly used indicator of an individual's academic achievement in school. It is the average of the grades attained in each course, taking course credit into consideration. Grading systems vary in different countries, or even schools. This calculator accepts letter grades as well as numerical inputs, providing a fast and highly accurate assessment of your academic standing.
How to Use This Calculator
Most schools, colleges, and universities in the United States use a grading system based on letter grades. However, some may attribute more weight to certain courses, and thus whatever grade is attained in the course will have a larger effect on the overall GPA. The calculator accounts for this based on the number of credits attributed to a course, where credit is the "weighting" of the course.
To calculate your semester GPA: Enter your optional course names, the number of credits assigned to each course, and the letter grade you received. The calculator automatically computes your Grade Points per class and provides an overall average.
To plan your GPA: Switch to the "GPA Planning" tab to determine what minimum GPA you require in future courses to either raise your cumulative GPA to a desired level or maintain it above a certain threshold.
The Formula
Example: (Math: 3 credits × 4.0) + (English: 3 credits × 3.3) / 6 total credits = 3.65 GPA
Letter Grade Equivalents
These letter grades are translated into numerical values for standard GPA calculation as shown below:
- A+ = 4.3 grade points
- A = 4.0 grade points
- A- = 3.7 grade points
- B+ = 3.3 grade points
- B = 3.0 grade points
- B- = 2.7 grade points
- C+ = 2.3 grade points
- C = 2.0 grade points
- C- = 1.7 grade points
- D+ = 1.3 grade points
- D = 1.0 grade points
- D- = 0.7 grade points
- F = 0.0 grade points
Note: P (pass), NP (not pass), I (incomplete), and W (withdrawal) grades are typically ignored in GPA calculations as they do not carry grade points.
Guidelines for Raising GPA
There is no sure formula for raising a person's GPA, and strategies that work for one person may not work for another. However, there are some common guidelines and study habits that can be helpful:
- Actively attending classes: Skipping classes can result in missed opportunities. Interaction with the professor and other students can increase a person's depth of knowledge and provide the small tips necessary to solidify understanding. Also, attending class can allow the professor to link a name to a face.
- Planning and Organization: Every student has their own learning style. Organization of work, as well as notes taken, is critical. Notes are most valuable when they can be used to supplement learning. Time management is also an essential aspect of planning.
- Reviewing work regularly: Learning information through periodic review can ultimately save a person more time and position them to perform better on exams than attempting to memorize everything the night before.
Frequently Asked Questions
A cumulative GPA is calculated by taking the sum of all your grade points earned across all semesters and dividing it by the total number of credits attempted over your entire academic career.
Generally, no. Pass (P) or Not Pass (NP) grades do not carry a numerical grade point value and are excluded from the calculation, though Pass credits may still count toward graduation requirements.
This depends heavily on the institution and the student's personal goals. Generally, a 3.0 (a B average) or higher is considered a solid GPA, while highly competitive programs may expect a 3.5 or above.
Many high schools use a "weighted" GPA system where AP or Honors classes offer more grade points (e.g., an A is worth 5.0 instead of 4.0). You can account for this by selecting higher numerical equivalents if your school uses a weighted scale.
It is mathematically difficult to drastically change a cumulative GPA in the final year because you already have a large number of accumulated credits. However, using the "GPA Planning" tab on this calculator can help you determine exactly what grades are needed to hit a specific target.