Your GPA is one number that sums up your grades. Colleges look at it, scholarships ask for it, and a lot of students check it every semester. If you want to know yours, you can use our GPA calculator, or work it out by hand with the steps below.

What is GPA?

GPA stands for grade point average. It is the average of your grades, where each grade is turned into points and bigger classes count for more.

The 4.0 scale

Most schools in the US use this scale:

Some schools also use plus and minus grades, like A- (3.7) or B+ (3.3). Check what your school uses.

How to calculate GPA

1. Change each letter grade into points.

2. Multiply the points by the credit hours for that class.

3. Add up all the results.

4. Divide by the total credit hours.

A worked example

Here is one semester:

Total credit hours: 3 + 3 + 3 + 4 = 13 Total points: 12 + 9 + 6 + 16 = 43

GPA = 43 ÷ 13 = 3.31

Notice that the 4-credit Chemistry class pulled your GPA up more than a 3-credit class would. That is why credit hours matter.

Why credit hours matter

If you just averaged the four grades (4, 3, 2, 4), you would get 3.25. That is close, but not right. A class with more credits should count for more, and the real GPA is 3.31.

What is a weighted GPA?

Some high schools give extra points for harder classes, like honors, AP or IB. In many schools an A in an AP class counts as 5.0 and not 4.0. That is called a weighted GPA. The scale goes up to 5.0.

An unweighted GPA ignores how hard the class was. Both are used, so ask your school which one appears on your transcript. The rules are not the same everywhere.

What counts as a good GPA?

It depends on what you want to do. A 3.0 is a solid B average. Many scholarships and programs ask for 3.5 or higher. Some graduate programs ask for 3.0 or more. If you have a target, check the exact rule for that program.

How to use the calculator

1. Add a row for each class.

2. Pick the letter grade.

3. Enter the credit hours.

4. Read your GPA.

You can also use it to plan ahead. Add the classes you are taking now with the grades you hope for, and see what your GPA could be at the end of the term.

Common questions

Is a 4.0 the highest GPA? On the standard scale, yes. A weighted scale can go higher.

Do pass/fail classes count? Usually not. They often don't change your GPA, but the school's rules decide.

Can I raise my GPA quickly? It is hard to move a big GPA in one term. Classes with more credit hours have a bigger effect, so doing well in those helps most.

More tools for school

For other tools, visit our Advanced calculators home page. You can also find tools for grades and credits in our education calculators section.