GPA looks like a simple average, but it isn't quite that simple โ a 4-credit course counts more toward your GPA than a 1-credit one. Here's exactly how grade point average is calculated, and why two students with the same letter grades can end up with different GPAs.
Step 1: Convert Letter Grades to Grade Points
Every letter grade maps to a number on a 4.0 scale:
| Letter | Grade Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| A+ / A | 4.0 | 93โ100% |
| Aโ | 3.7 | 90โ92% |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87โ89% |
| B | 3.0 | 83โ86% |
| Bโ | 2.7 | 80โ82% |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77โ79% |
| C | 2.0 | 73โ76% |
| Cโ | 1.7 | 70โ72% |
| D | 1.0 | 60โ69% |
| F | 0.0 | Below 60% |
Step 2: Weight Each Grade by Credit Hours
This is the step people miss. GPA isn't a simple average of your grade points โ it's weighted by how many credit hours each course is worth. A 4-credit A pulls your GPA up more than a 1-credit A does, because it's counted four times as heavily.
The GPA Formula
For each course, multiply the grade points by the credit hours to get "quality points." Add up all the quality points, then divide by the total credit hours:
Worked Example
| Course | Grade | Credits | Quality Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course A | A (4.0) | 4 | 16.0 |
| Course B | B+ (3.3) | 3 | 9.9 |
| Course C | C (2.0) | 2 | 4.0 |
Total quality points: 16.0 + 9.9 + 4.0 = 29.9. Total credits: 4 + 3 + 2 = 9. GPA = 29.9 รท 9 = 3.32.
Semester GPA vs. Cumulative GPA
Your semester GPA only includes the courses from that term. Your cumulative GPA includes every course you've ever taken, weighted the same way โ which is why a single bad semester affects your cumulative GPA less and less as you complete more credit hours overall.
Step-by-Step: Calculate Your GPA
- Add a row for each course you're taking
- Enter the letter grade and credit hours for each one
- Get your semester GPA, total credits, and total grade points instantly
Try It Yourself
Use our free GPA Calculator โ add unlimited courses, credit-hour weighted
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