GPA Calculator
Use this free GPA calculator to find your weighted or unweighted grade point average in seconds. Enter your courses, grades, and credit hours below, and toggle Weighted GPA to add Honors or AP bonus points.
Last updated July 2026
Adds +0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP / IB courses.
| Grade | Credits | Course Type | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
How GPA is Calculated
GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated by multiplying each course's grade points by its credit hours, summing the results, and dividing by total credit hours.
GPA stands for Grade Point Average. Each letter grade maps to a numeric value on the 4.0 scale (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0.0), with plus/minus variants in between.
Each course's grade points are weighted by the number of credit hours it carries, so a 4-credit course has more influence on your GPA than a 1-credit course.
The Formula
GPA = Σ(grade points × credits) ÷ Σ(credits)
Worked Example
Suppose you take two courses this semester:
| Course | Grade | Grade Points | Credits | Points × Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 101 | A | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| Math 201 | B | 3.0 | 3 | 9.0 |
| Total | 6 | 21.0 |
GPA = 21.0 ÷ 6 = 3.50
Weighted GPA
A weighted GPA rewards challenging courses. Honors courses receive a +0.5 bonus and AP / IB courses receive a +1.0 bonus before the average is computed. This means an A in an AP class counts as 5.0 points instead of 4.0. Toggle the Weighted GPA switch above and choose a course type to see the effect.
Worked Example: A Mixed Schedule
Here's a more realistic schedule mixing a regular class, an Honors class, and an AP class — the exact case the Weighted GPA toggle is built for:
| Course | Grade | Type | Weighted Points | Credits | Points × Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English 101 | A | Regular | 4.0 | 3 | 12.0 |
| Honors Chemistry | B | Honors (+0.5) | 3.5 | 4 | 14.0 |
| AP Calculus | B+ | AP (+1.0) | 4.3 | 4 | 17.2 |
| Total | 11 | 43.2 |
Weighted GPA = 43.2 ÷ 11 = 3.93 — noticeably higher than the same schedule's unweighted GPA of 3.55, because the Honors and AP bonuses reward course rigor. Toggle Weighted GPA off above to see how this schedule looks unweighted instead.
Weighted vs Unweighted GPA — Which Do Colleges Use?
Most US colleges recalculate applicants' GPA on their own unweighted 4.0 scale during admissions review, so they can compare students fairly across high schools with different weighting policies. That said, admissions officers also see your unweighted GPA alongside your transcript, which shows exactly which courses were Honors, AP, or IB — so course rigor is never actually invisible, even when a college "unweights" your GPA.
In practice this means: report both numbers when asked, don't assume a high weighted GPA alone compensates for a lack of rigorous coursework, and use the Weighted GPA Calculator if your school report card specifically asks for a weighted figure.
Common GPA Scales
Not every school uses the same numeric range. The standard US scale tops out at 4.0, but you'll also encounter these variants:
- 4.0 scale (unweighted) — the most common US scale; A = 4.0 down to F = 0.0.
- 4.0+ plus/minus scale — adds A-, B+, B-, etc. in 0.3–0.4 increments; see the full GPA Scale reference for exact values.
- 5.0 (or higher) weighted scale — used when Honors/AP bonuses are added, as shown in the mixed-schedule example above.
- International scales — many countries outside the US use entirely different systems (percentage-based, 1–10, or 1–20). See the International Grade Scale Hub if you're converting foreign grades.
Common GPA Mistakes to Avoid
Most GPA miscalculations come from a handful of predictable slips. Check your numbers against these before you trust a result:
- Averaging letter grades instead of credit-weighting them. A straight average of an A, a B, and a C (3.0) is only correct if all three carry the same credits. Give the C a 5-credit lab and a 1-credit A, and the true GPA drops toward 2.6 — the heavier course pulls harder. Always multiply by credits first, then divide.
- Including pass/fail or withdrawn courses. A P, CR, or W usually carries zero grade points and is excluded from the credit total. Leaving a withdrawn course in as an "F" can wrongly sink your GPA by half a point.
- Mixing a weighted and unweighted total in one calculation. Decide up front which figure you're reporting. Applying the +1.0 AP bonus to two courses but not the rest produces a number that matches neither scale.
- Guessing plus/minus values. A B+ is 3.3, not 3.5, and an A- is 3.7 — rounding each grade to the nearest whole point quietly inflates a transcript. This calculator uses the exact plus/minus values from the standard 4.0 scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GPA and how is it calculated?
GPA (Grade Point Average) is a number that summarizes your academic performance on a fixed scale, typically 0.0 to 4.0 in the US. It is calculated by multiplying each course's grade points (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, etc.) by the number of credit hours, summing all those products, then dividing by the total credit hours. For example, an A (4.0) in a 3-credit course plus a B (3.0) in a 3-credit course gives (4×3 + 3×3) ÷ 6 = 3.50.
What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
An unweighted GPA treats every course equally on a 4.0 scale regardless of difficulty. A weighted GPA adds bonus points for harder courses — typically +0.5 for Honors and +1.0 for AP or IB courses — which can push GPA above 4.0. Colleges most commonly report unweighted GPA for comparisons, but many look at both to understand your course rigor.
How many credit hours should I enter for each course?
Enter the number of credit hours (also called credit units or semester hours) assigned to each course by your school. Most standard lecture courses are worth 3 credits, while lab-heavy courses may be 4 credits. You can usually find your course credit values on your class schedule, transcript, or course catalog.
What GPA do I need for graduate school or scholarships?
Requirements vary by program and institution, but a GPA of 3.0 or higher is commonly required for graduate school admission, with competitive programs often expecting 3.5 or above. Many merit scholarships require a minimum of 3.0 to 3.5. Use this calculator to estimate your current GPA and see how improving grades in remaining courses could affect your overall average.
Can I calculate GPA for just one semester?
Yes. Simply enter the courses and grades from that single semester. The calculator computes GPA over whatever set of courses you provide. For a cumulative GPA across multiple semesters, enter all your courses together, or weight by credit hours manually.
Why does my GPA not change much even when I improve one grade?
GPA is a credit-weighted average. If you have many completed courses, a single improved grade has a proportionally smaller impact on the total. The more credits you have already earned, the harder it is to shift your cumulative GPA quickly. Focus on high-credit courses for the biggest impact.
What is considered a good GPA?
A GPA of 3.0 (B average) is generally considered the minimum for competitive graduate school applications and many scholarships. A GPA of 3.5 or higher (roughly an A- average) is considered strong at most institutions, and 3.7+ is often expected for highly selective programs or employers. The right benchmark depends on your specific goals and field.
Does a pass/fail course affect my GPA?
At most institutions, no — a course taken pass/fail is excluded from GPA calculation entirely; only the credit hours count toward your degree, not the grade points. Some schools do record a failing pass/fail result as an F that lowers your GPA, so check your registrar's policy. Use the Pass/Fail Calculator to check whether your score clears the passing threshold.
What is the difference between GPA and CGPA?
GPA (Grade Point Average) is the US term for your credit-weighted average, typically on a 4.0 scale. CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) is the equivalent term used by many universities outside the US, especially in India, often on a 10-point scale. If your institution reports SGPA and CGPA, use the SGPA to CGPA Calculator to combine your semester results.