How is GPA calculated?

GPA = total grade points ÷ total credit hours. Each letter grade maps to points (A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0), each course's points are multiplied by its credit hours, summed, then divided by total credits attempted.

What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?

Unweighted GPA caps at 4.0 regardless of course difficulty. Weighted GPA adds bonus points for harder classes — typically +1.0 for AP/IB (A = 5.0) and +0.5 for honors — so it can exceed 4.0.

What GPA do I need for college admission?

Highly selective universities typically admit students with 3.9+ unweighted; competitive state schools often look for 3.5+; many colleges accept 2.5–3.0. Strong test scores, essays, and activities can offset a lower GPA.

How do plus and minus grades affect GPA?

On the common scale: A− = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B− = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, and so on in 0.3–0.4 steps. Some schools ignore plus/minus; check your institution's official scale.

Can I raise my GPA quickly?

The more credits you have, the harder each new grade moves the average. A student with 30 credits at 2.8 who earns straight A's for 15 credits rises to about 3.2. Retaking failed courses (where policy replaces the grade) is often the fastest lever.

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GPA Calculator — Semester and Cumulative GPA on the 4.0 Scale

Your GPA follows you through scholarship applications, graduate school admissions, internships, and academic standing reviews. This free GPA calculator computes both your semester GPA and your updated cumulative GPA using the standard 4.0 scale, with full support for plus/minus grades and per-course credit hours. No signup, no limits.

The Standard 4.0 Grade Scale

Grade	Points	Grade	Points
A / A+	4.0	C	2.0
A−	3.7	C−	1.7
B+	3.3	D+	1.3
B	3.0	D	1.0
B−	2.7	D−	0.7
C+	2.3	F	0.0

Worked Example

Say you take four courses: Calculus (4 credits, B+), English (3 credits, A), Chemistry (4 credits, B−), and History (3 credits, A−). Grade points: (4×3.3) + (3×4.0) + (4×2.7) + (3×3.7) = 13.2 + 12 + 10.8 + 11.1 = 47.1. Divide by 14 total credits: GPA = 3.36. Notice how the 4-credit courses pull the average more than the 3-credit ones — credit weighting is why two students with identical letter grades can have different GPAs.

Cumulative GPA: Why It Moves Slowly

Cumulative GPA combines all completed credits, so each new semester carries less weight as credits accumulate. A first-year student can swing their GPA half a point in one term; a senior with 100+ credits will barely move it 0.1. Plan early: protecting a strong GPA is far easier than repairing a weak one. If your school offers grade replacement for retaken courses, that is usually the single most effective repair tool.

GPA Benchmarks That Matter

3.5+ — Dean's List at most institutions, competitive for graduate programs.
3.0 — the floor for many scholarships, employers' resume screens, and grad school applications.
2.0 — minimum good academic standing at most colleges; falling below triggers probation.

Free and Private

All calculation happens in your browser — your grades are never uploaded or stored. Add as many courses and semesters as you need, whether you're tracking a single term or projecting what it takes to hit a target cumulative GPA by graduation.

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