How to calculate your GPA
To calculate a GPA, turn each letter grade into grade points, multiply by the course’s credits, add everything up and divide by the total credits. The result is your grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
- Convert letters to points: A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0. With plus/minus grades, an A− is 3.7, a B+ 3.3 and a B− 2.7.[1][2]
- Multiply by credits to get quality points: a B+ in a 4-credit course is 3.3 × 4 = 13.2.
- Add all quality points and all credits.
- Divide quality points by credits.
Worked example
Five 1-credit courses: A− (3.7), B+ (3.3), B (3.0), A (4.0), A− (3.7). Quality points: 17.7. Credits: 5. GPA = 17.7 ÷ 5 = 3.54.
If the B is in an AP course and the A− in English is honors, a school that adds +1.0 for AP and +0.5 for honors gives 17.7 + 1.5 = 19.2 weighted points, so a weighted GPA of 3.84.
GPA scale: letter grades to grade points
Most U.S. high schools and colleges use the same 4.0 point values; what differs is the percent cut-off for each letter and whether plus and minus grades change the points. College Board’s conversion table is shown below,[1] and the points column matches the plus/minus scales that university registrars publish.[2][4]
| Letter | Percent (College Board table) | Points (plus/minus) | Points (whole letters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 97–100 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| A | 93–96 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| A− | 90–92 | 3.7 | 4.0 |
| B+ | 87–89 | 3.3 | 3.0 |
| B | 83–86 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| B− | 80–82 | 2.7 | 3.0 |
| C+ | 77–79 | 2.3 | 2.0 |
| C | 73–76 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| C− | 70–72 | 1.7 | 2.0 |
| D+ | 67–69 | 1.3 | 1.0 |
| D | 65–66 | 1.0 | 1.0 |
| F | 0–64 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Some colleges give an A+ more than 4.0: Stanford, for example, uses a 4.3 scale, while Berkeley and Michigan cap the A+ at 4.0.[3][2][4] Set that in the calculator if your transcript does. Grades such as P (pass), W (withdrawn) and I (incomplete) earn no grade points and are left out of the GPA entirely.[3][2]
Weighted vs. unweighted GPA
An unweighted GPA uses only the 4.0 values above, so an A is a 4.0 in any course. A weighted GPA adds points for harder courses, often +0.5 for honors and +1.0 for AP, IB or dual enrollment, so it can go above 4.0. South Carolina and North Carolina write exactly those bonuses into statewide policy.[5][6] The calculator shows both numbers when you mark a course as honors or AP. For the details, see the weighted GPA calculator and the unweighted GPA calculator.
GPA calculator with no credits
If every course counts the same, leave each credit box at 1. The GPA is then the plain average of the grade points: A, B, B and C average (4 + 3 + 3 + 2) ÷ 4 = 3.0. Credits only matter when courses differ, for example a 4-credit lab science next to a 1-credit seminar, or a semester course (0.5) next to a full-year course (1.0).
Adding this term to an existing GPA?Do not average the two GPAs. Use the cumulative GPA calculator, which weights each by its credits.
Checked against registrar examples
We test the GPA math against the worked examples universities publish. Stanford’s example, (2.7 × 3) + (3.7 × 4) + (3.3 × 3) = 32.8 over 10 units, gives 3.28, and so does this calculator. Michigan’s example with a pass/fail course left out, 37.2 honor points over 12 hours, gives 3.1.[3][4] Both run as automated tests before every update. You can also add your current GPA and credits in step 3 to see your new cumulative GPA right away.
Which GPA calculator do you need?
- High school GPARegular, honors and AP courses with semester credits
- College GPACredit hours, plus/minus and pass/fail courses
- Cumulative GPACurrent GPA + new term, or the term GPA you need
- UC GPAThe University of California’s capped 10th–11th grade GPA
- UF GPAThe University of Florida’s core, weighted GPA
- Science (BCPM) GPAThe AMCAS GPA for medical school
- LSAC GPAThe GPA law schools see
Wondering how your number compares? Read what is a good GPA and weighted vs unweighted GPA. Still working on one course? Get the course grade first with the final grade calculator, then come back with the letter.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my GPA?
Multiply each course’s grade points by its credits, add those up, and divide by the total number of credits. On a 4.0 scale an A is 4, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F 0.
What is a 3.5 GPA in letter grades?
About halfway between a B+ (3.3) and an A− (3.7): a mix of mostly A’s and B’s.
Can I calculate GPA without credits?
Yes. If all courses count equally, the GPA is the average of the grade points. Leave every credit at 1.
Is an A+ worth more than 4.0?
At most schools an A+ is 4.0. Some colleges count it as 4.3 (Stanford is one); the calculator lets you choose 4.0, 4.3 or 4.33.
Sources
- How to Convert Your GPA to a 4.0 Scale (earlier version with the plus/minus table; Internet Archive copy of the official page)
- Grades & Grading
- How Do I Calculate My Grade Point Average (GPA)?
- Computing Your Grade Point Average
- South Carolina Uniform Grading Policy
- Policy GRAD-009, High School Grading and Transcript Standards