How to Calculate GPA
Last updated 2026-09-11
GPA (Grade Point Average) summarizes your academic performance as a single number by weighting each course's grade by how many credit hours it's worth.
Convert each letter grade to grade points
On the standard 4.0 scale: A = 4.0, A− = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, and so on down to F = 0.0.
Multiply each grade's points by that course's credit hours
This weights each course by its size — a 4-credit course affects your GPA more than a 1-credit course.
Sum the weighted points and divide by total credits
GPA = Σ(grade points × credits) ÷ Σ(credits).
Example
An A (4.0) in a 3-credit course and a B+ (3.3) in a 4-credit course: (4.0×3 + 3.3×4) ÷ (3+4) = (12 + 13.2) ÷ 7 ≈ 3.6 GPA.
Important Considerations
- Grading scales vary by country and institution — this guide and the linked calculator use the standard US 4.0 scale with +/− modifiers.
- Cumulative GPA includes every graded course across all terms; semester GPA only includes that term's courses — check which one your institution or application requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do A+ and A count the same on a 4.0 scale?
- At most US institutions, yes — both are capped at 4.0, since 4.0 is the scale's maximum, though some schools use a 4.3 scale where A+ exceeds A.
- Does a pass/fail course affect GPA?
- Typically no — pass/fail courses are usually excluded from GPA calculations, though credit hours still count toward your degree.