How GPA Is Calculated
Grade Point Average (GPA) is a weighted mean of grade points earned across courses, weighted by credit hours. This page explains the formula, the 4.0 scale, and how to compute both semester and cumulative GPA.
The GPA Formula
GPA is the sum of each course's quality points divided by the total credit hours attempted. Quality points for a single course equal the grade point value multiplied by the number of credit hours.
Where GP₍ᵢ₎ is the grade point value for course i and CR₍ᵢ₎ is the credit hours for course i.
The 4.0 Grade Scale
| Letter Grade | Percentage Range | Grade Points |
|---|---|---|
| A / A+ | 93 – 100% | 4.0 |
| A− | 90 – 92% | 3.7 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.3 |
| B | 83 – 86% | 3.0 |
| B− | 80 – 82% | 2.7 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.3 |
| C | 73 – 76% | 2.0 |
| C− | 70 – 72% | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67 – 69% | 1.3 |
| D | 63 – 66% | 1.0 |
| D− | 60 – 62% | 0.7 |
| F | Below 60% | 0.0 |
Worked Example — Semester GPA
Suppose a student takes these four courses in one semester:
| Course | Credits | Grade | Grade Points | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calculus I | 4 | A | 4.0 | 16.0 |
| English 101 | 3 | B+ | 3.3 | 9.9 |
| History 201 | 3 | B | 3.0 | 9.0 |
| Chemistry Lab | 2 | A− | 3.7 | 7.4 |
Cumulative GPA
Cumulative GPA is calculated the same way as semester GPA, but using all courses across all semesters. You do not average the individual semester GPAs — instead, you sum all quality points and divide by all credit hours.
Worked Example — Cumulative GPA
A student completed two semesters with the following totals:
| Semester | Quality Points | Credit Hours | Semester GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | 36.0 | 12 | 3.00 |
| Spring | 42.3 | 12 | 3.53 |
How to Raise Your GPA
- Take high-credit courses seriously — a 4-credit A contributes more quality points than a 1-credit A.
- Retake courses where grade forgiveness (grade replacement) is available at your institution.
- Earn high grades in future courses — the more credits you complete, the harder it is for one bad grade to drag your GPA down.
- Seek tutoring or academic support early in the semester before grades slip.
- Avoid withdrawing from courses unnecessarily, as this extends the time to meet credit requirements.
- GPA Calculator — Calculate your GPA instantly with dynamic course input
- GPA Formula — Formula, variables, and full worked examples
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my cumulative GPA different from the average of my semester GPAs?
Cumulative GPA is a weighted average — semesters with more credit hours count more. Averaging the semester GPAs treats each semester equally regardless of how many credits you took. Always compute cumulative GPA by dividing total quality points by total credit hours.
Does pass/fail grading affect GPA?
No. Courses taken pass/fail (P/F) typically do not contribute to GPA because no numeric grade points are assigned. However, failed P/F courses may show as an F depending on institutional policy, which would impact GPA.
What is grade forgiveness or grade replacement?
Some institutions allow students to retake a course and replace the original grade with the new one for GPA purposes. This policy varies widely — some schools average the two grades, others use only the higher grade. Check your academic catalog.
Can GPA exceed 4.0?
On the standard 4.0 scale, GPA cannot exceed 4.0. Some schools use a weighted or 4.3 scale where an A+ earns 4.3 points, which could push GPA slightly above 4.0. This calculator uses the standard 4.0 scale.
How is GPA calculated for graduate school applications?
Graduate programs typically look at your undergraduate cumulative GPA, often calculated by the school itself. Some programs recalculate GPA using only upper-division (junior/senior) courses, or only courses in your major. When self-reporting, use your official transcript GPA.