How to Calculate Your GPA: Step-by-Step Guide With Examples

Your GPA (grade point average) is one number that sums up your grades. Once you know the four steps, you can work it out yourself in a couple of minutes, check your transcript, or see what a future semester could do to your average.

The four steps

1. Convert each letter grade to grade points using your school’s scale.
2. Multiply the grade points by the course credits. This gives the quality points for that course.
3. Add up all the quality points.
4. Divide by the total number of credits.

A common 4.0 scale

Most US colleges use a scale close to this one. Yours may differ, so check your school’s grading policy first.

• A = 4.0, A- = 3.7
• B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7
• C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7
• D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0
• F = 0.0

Worked example: one semester

Say you took four courses:

• Calculus: 4 credits, grade A (4.0). Quality points: 4 x 4.0 = 16.0
• English: 3 credits, grade B+ (3.3). Quality points: 3 x 3.3 = 9.9
• Programming: 3 credits, grade A- (3.7). Quality points: 3 x 3.7 = 11.1
• Physics: 4 credits, grade B (3.0). Quality points: 4 x 3.0 = 12.0

Total quality points: 16.0 + 9.9 + 11.1 + 12.0 = 49.0. Total credits: 4 + 3 + 3 + 4 = 14. Semester GPA: 49.0 / 14 = 3.50.

Cumulative GPA

Your cumulative GPA (CGPA) uses the same method across every semester. Do not average your semester GPAs, because semesters with more credits should count for more. Add up all quality points and divide by all credits.

For example, suppose you already have 30 credits at a 3.20 GPA. That is 30 x 3.20 = 96.0 quality points. Add the semester above: 96.0 + 49.0 = 145.0 quality points over 30 + 14 = 44 credits. New cumulative GPA: 145.0 / 44 = 3.30.

Common mistakes

• Ignoring credits. A 4-credit course affects your GPA more than a 1-credit course.
• Counting pass/fail courses. Most schools leave these out of the GPA.
• Forgetting repeat policies. Some schools replace the old grade when you retake a course, others average both.
• Mixing scales. A 5.0 or 10-point scale needs its own grade table.

Check your own numbers

Our free GPA and CGPA calculator does these steps for you, and works with 4.0, 5.0 and 10-point scales. If you want to track every semester, deadlines and study hours in one place, see the Student Study Planner and GPA Tracker.

Worked example: one semester with four courses

GPA = 48.3 ÷ 14 = 3.45. A simple average of the four grade points would give 3.50, which is too high because it ignores that the B and B+ were in 4-credit courses.

Turning a semester GPA into a cumulative GPA

Once you have each semester’s GPA, combine them by weighting each one by its credits. Our guide on calculating CGPA from semester GPAs walks through it, and this calculation shows how much next semester can change your overall GPA.

FAQ

Do I need credit hours to calculate GPA?

Yes, for an accurate GPA. If every course has the same credits, a simple average works, but that is rare. See how to calculate GPA with credit hours.

Does an F count in GPA?

Usually yes. An F is worth 0 grade points but its credits still count, which lowers your GPA. A retake may replace it, depending on your university.

What is a good GPA?

A 3.0 is often treated as solid and 3.5 or above as strong, but it depends on your goals. Read what is a good GPA for details.

Is there a faster way?

Yes. Enter your courses in the free GPA Calculator and it does the multiplication and division for you.

Your school’s official transcript and GPA policy always take priority over any calculator or guide.

Related guides

• How to Calculate GPA With Credit Hours (Step-by-Step With Examples)
• How to Calculate GPA: Step-by-Step Guide with Examples
• How to Calculate CGPA From Semester GPAs (With Example)

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