🎓 GPA Calculator
Calculate your cumulative Grade Point Average on the 4.0 scale with support for weighted and unweighted courses
Free & Privacy-First: Calculate your GPA instantly in your browser. No signup required, no data stored on our servers. Perfect for high school and college students tracking their academic progress.
Instant Calculation
Real-time GPA updates as you add or modify courses
Target GPA Tool
Find out what GPA you need to reach your goal
Save & Export
Import/export your courses for backup or transfer
GPA Settings
Your Courses
Grade Point Conversion
| Letter Grade | Grade Point (Unweighted) | Grade Point (Weighted) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| A- | 3.7 | 4.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 4.3 |
| B | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| B- | 2.7 | 3.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 3.3 |
| C | 2.0 | 3.0 |
| C- | 1.7 | 2.7 |
| D+ | 1.3 | 2.3 |
| D | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| F | 0.0 | 0.0 |
What GPA Do I Need?
Calculate what GPA you need in future courses to reach your target GPA.
Required GPA for Remaining Courses:
0.00
How to Use
- Click "Add Course" to add a new course to your list
- Enter the course name, select a letter grade, and enter credit hours
- For honors or AP courses, enable "Weighted GPA" toggle at the top
- Your GPA will calculate automatically as you add courses
- Use "What GPA Do I Need?" to plan for future semesters
- Save your courses by clicking "Export" to download as JSON
- Import previously saved courses with the "Import" button
Understanding GPA
What is GPA?
Grade Point Average (GPA) is a standardized way of measuring academic achievement in the U.S. on a scale of 0 to 4.0 (unweighted) or 0 to 5.0 (weighted for honors/AP courses).
Weighted vs Unweighted GPA
Unweighted GPA uses a 4.0 scale where an A is always 4.0. Weighted GPA uses a 5.0 scale giving extra points for honors, AP, or IB courses where an A can be 5.0.
GPA Scale
- 4.0 GPA = A average (90-100%)
- 3.0 GPA = B average (80-89%)
- 2.0 GPA = C average (70-79%)
- 1.0 GPA = D average (60-69%)
- Below 1.0 = Failing
Tips for Success
- Focus on courses with more credit hours - they impact your GPA more
- Use the "What GPA Do I Need?" calculator to set realistic goals
- Keep track of your GPA each semester to monitor progress
- Consider taking weighted courses if you can maintain good grades
- Remember: consistency matters more than one perfect semester
What is GPA and Why Does It Matter?
Grade Point Average (GPA) is a standardized way of measuring academic achievement across courses and institutions. It converts letter grades into numerical values and calculates an average, making it easy to compare academic performance over time or between students.
Your GPA matters for several important reasons:
- College Admissions: Universities use GPA as a primary indicator of academic readiness. Competitive schools often require a 3.5+ GPA for serious consideration.
- Scholarships & Financial Aid: Many scholarships have minimum GPA requirements (typically 3.0-3.5). Maintaining your GPA can directly impact your financial support.
- Honor Societies & Programs: Organizations like National Honor Society require maintaining a specific GPA threshold for membership.
- Job Applications: Some employers, especially for entry-level positions, request GPA on applications. A strong GPA (3.5+) can set you apart.
- Graduate School: Most graduate programs require a minimum undergraduate GPA (often 3.0), with competitive programs expecting 3.5 or higher.
- Academic Standing: Your GPA determines academic probation, dean's list, and graduation honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude).
Understanding and tracking your GPA helps you make informed decisions about course selection, study habits, and academic goals. Use this calculator regularly to monitor your progress and plan for the future.
Common Use Cases for Our GPA Calculator
📊 High School Students
- • Track cumulative GPA across all four years
- • Calculate weighted GPA for AP/Honors courses
- • Plan course selection to reach college admission goals
- • Determine scholarship eligibility
- • Calculate what grades are needed to reach GPA targets
🎓 College Students
- • Monitor semester and cumulative GPA
- • Stay above minimum GPA for major requirements
- • Calculate GPA for dean's list qualification
- • Plan final semester grades for graduation honors
- • Track GPA for graduate school applications
👨🏫 Parents & Educators
- • Help students understand GPA calculations
- • Set realistic academic goals
- • Monitor student progress throughout the year
- • Calculate what-if scenarios for course planning
- • Explain weighted vs unweighted GPA differences
📈 Academic Planning
- • Explore impact of taking challenging courses
- • Determine GPA needed in remaining semesters
- • Calculate recovery from a difficult semester
- • Plan course load balancing difficulty and GPA
- • Simulate different grade scenarios
Understanding GPA Scales and Grading Systems
Standard 4.0 Unweighted Scale
| Letter Grade | Grade Points | Percentage Range | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 93-100% | Excellent |
| A- | 3.7 | 90-92% | Very Good |
| B+ | 3.3 | 87-89% | Good |
| B | 3.0 | 83-86% | Above Average |
| B- | 2.7 | 80-82% | Above Average |
| C+ | 2.3 | 77-79% | Average |
| C | 2.0 | 73-76% | Average |
| C- | 1.7 | 70-72% | Below Average |
| D | 1.0 | 60-69% | Poor |
| F | 0.0 | 0-59% | Failing |
Weighted 5.0 Scale (Honors/AP Courses)
Many high schools use a weighted GPA scale for advanced courses to recognize the increased difficulty of honors, AP (Advanced Placement), and IB (International Baccalaureate) courses. In a weighted system:
- Regular courses: Use standard 4.0 scale (A = 4.0)
- Honors courses: Add 0.5 points (A = 4.5)
- AP/IB courses: Add 1.0 point (A = 5.0)
Note: Weighting policies vary by high school. Some schools use a 5.0 scale for all advanced courses, while others differentiate between honors and AP. Check with your school's guidance office for your specific weighting system. Most colleges recalculate GPA using their own methods.
Credit Hours and Their Impact
Not all courses affect your GPA equally. Courses with more credit hours (also called semester hours or units) have a larger impact on your cumulative GPA:
- 1 credit: Typically PE, arts electives, or seminar courses
- 3 credits: Most standard high school courses; typical college lecture course
- 4 credits: Common for college courses with labs (sciences)
- 5+ credits: Some intensive courses or year-long projects
Example: A 4-credit course with an A (4.0) contributes 16 quality points (4.0 × 4), while a 3-credit course with an A contributes 12 quality points (4.0 × 3). This is why the calculator asks for credit hours.
Tips for Maintaining and Improving Your GPA
📚 Academic Strategies
- → Prioritize high-credit courses: Focus extra effort on 4-5 credit courses as they impact your GPA more significantly
- → Start strong: Early grades set your baseline - it's easier to maintain than to recover from a low GPA
- → Use office hours: Professors and TAs can clarify concepts and provide exam preparation guidance
- → Form study groups: Collaborative learning helps reinforce understanding and catch mistakes
- → Don't overload: Taking too many difficult courses simultaneously can hurt all your grades
⚡ Time Management
- → Create a study schedule: Consistent daily study beats cramming every time
- → Break tasks into chunks: Large assignments are less overwhelming when divided into manageable pieces
- → Start assignments early: Give yourself buffer time for questions, revisions, and unexpected issues
- → Minimize distractions: Use apps to block social media during study sessions
- → Balance is key: Schedule breaks and downtime to avoid burnout
🎯 Strategic Course Selection
- → Take challenging courses wisely: AP/honors courses boost weighted GPA but only if you can earn good grades
- → Balance difficult and manageable: Mix harder courses with subjects you excel in
- → Know when to drop: Withdrawing before the deadline is better than a failing grade
- → Research professors: In college, professor ratings can predict course difficulty and grading standards
- → Consider prerequisites: Ensure you have the foundation before taking advanced courses
🔄 GPA Recovery Strategies
- → Use the calculator: Know exactly what grades you need to reach your goal GPA
- → Consider course retakes: Many schools allow grade replacement for failed or low-scoring courses
- → Take summer courses: Extra credits with good grades can boost cumulative GPA faster
- → Seek academic support: Tutoring, writing centers, and study skills workshops are often free
- → Address underlying issues: If struggling, consider time management coaching or academic advising
Remember: GPA is important, but it's not everything. Colleges and employers also value leadership, extracurriculars, work experience, personal growth, and unique skills. Maintain a balanced approach to academics and personal development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA?
An unweighted GPA is calculated on a 4.0 scale where an A equals 4.0, regardless of course difficulty. A weighted GPA uses a 5.0 scale for honors, AP, or advanced courses, giving extra points (up to 5.0 for an A) to recognize challenging coursework. Most colleges consider both, but weighted GPA shows academic rigor.
For example, if you earn an A in regular English (unweighted), you get 4.0 points. But if you earn an A in AP English Literature (weighted), you might get 5.0 points. This rewards students who challenge themselves with difficult courses.
How do I calculate my cumulative GPA?
To calculate cumulative GPA manually, follow these steps:
- Convert each letter grade to grade points (A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0.0)
- Multiply grade points by credit hours for each course to get quality points
- Add all quality points together
- Divide total quality points by total credit hours
Example: If you earned an A (4.0) in a 3-credit course and a B (3.0) in a 4-credit course: (4.0 × 3) + (3.0 × 4) = 12 + 12 = 24 quality points. Total credits = 7. GPA = 24 ÷ 7 = 3.43. Our calculator automates this process for you.
What is a good GPA?
GPA standards vary by context, but here are general guidelines:
- 3.5-4.0 (Excellent): Competitive for top colleges, merit scholarships, and honors programs. Shows consistent high performance.
- 3.0-3.5 (Good): Qualifies for most scholarships and college admissions. Above average performance that opens many opportunities.
- 2.5-3.0 (Average): Meets basic requirements for many colleges. May need SAT/ACT scores or extracurriculars to strengthen applications.
- Below 2.0 (Needs Improvement): May face academic probation and limited college options. Focus on GPA recovery strategies.
Remember that colleges also consider course difficulty, trend (improving vs. declining), extracurriculars, essays, and other factors beyond raw GPA numbers.
Do honors and AP classes count more in GPA?
Yes, in a weighted GPA system. Honors and AP courses typically add 0.5 to 1.0 extra points to your grade (an A becomes 4.5-5.0 instead of 4.0). This rewards students for taking challenging courses. However, the exact weighting policy varies by high school.
Common weighting systems:
- Regular courses: 4.0 scale (A=4.0)
- Honors courses: 4.5 scale (A=4.5) or 5.0 scale
- AP/IB courses: 5.0 scale (A=5.0) or higher
Important: Check with your school's guidance office for your specific weighting system. Most colleges recalculate GPA using their own methods, so they can compare applicants fairly across different high schools with different policies.
Can I use this calculator for college GPA?
Yes! This GPA calculator works for both high school and college students. College GPAs are typically unweighted (4.0 scale) and calculated the same way as high school GPAs. Just enter your college courses, grades, and credit hours to calculate your college GPA.
You can calculate:
- Semester GPA: Enter only courses from one semester
- Cumulative GPA: Enter all courses from your entire college career
- Major GPA: Enter only courses that count toward your major
- Transfer GPA: Calculate GPA from courses you're transferring
The calculator also helps college students determine what grades they need in remaining courses to reach GPA goals for graduation honors, graduate school applications, or maintaining scholarships.