The GPA formula
GPA = Σ (grade points × credits) ÷ Σ credits
- Turn each grade into points using the 4.0 scale (table on this page).
- Multiply by the class credits to get quality points. A full-year high school class is usually 1 credit; college classes have 3 or 4.
- Add up the quality points and the credits.
- Divide quality points by credits. Round to two decimals.
Worked example: unweighted GPA
| Class | Grade | Points | Credits | Quality points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | A− | 3.7 | 1 | 3.70 |
| Algebra II | B+ | 3.3 | 1 | 3.30 |
| AP Biology | B | 3.0 | 1 | 3.00 |
| Spanish | A | 4.0 | 1 | 4.00 |
| Art | A | 4.0 | 0.5 | 2.00 |
| Total | 4.5 | 16.00 | ||
16.00 ÷ 4.5 = 3.56 unweighted GPA. The half-credit Art class counts half as much as the others.
Weighted GPA
A weighted GPA rewards harder classes. Before averaging, add +0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP, IB and college classes — but only to passing grades; an F stays 0.
| Class | Level | Weighted points | × Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Honors | 4.2 | 4.20 |
| Algebra II | Regular | 3.3 | 3.30 |
| AP Biology | AP | 4.0 | 4.00 |
| Spanish | Regular | 4.0 | 4.00 |
| Art | Regular | 4.0 | 2.00 |
17.50 ÷ 4.5 = 3.89 weighted GPA. Schools weight differently, so check your handbook — some cap weighted GPA, some weight only certain years.
Cumulative GPA
Your cumulative GPA covers every semester so far. Multiply each semester’s GPA by its credits, add them, and divide by all the credits: a 3.2 over 60 credits and a 3.8 over 15 credits make (3.2 × 60 + 3.8 × 15) ÷ 75 = 3.32. The cumulative GPA calculator does this for you.
The 4.0 scale
| Letter | Percent | Points |
|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97–100 | 4.0 |
| A | 93–96 | 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 |
Skip the math
Enter your classes in the GPA calculator to get both GPAs at once, see what your GPA means on the GPA chart, or find out what you need to reach a goal with the GPA raise calculator.